Personnel from the United States boarded and seized a vessel off the coast of Venezuela on Saturday, according to a US official familiar with the incident, marking another step in Washington’s growing pressure campaign against Caracas under the administration of Donald Trump.
The interception was the second known case this month of US authorities stopping a vessel near Venezuela. It followed Trump’s announcement earlier this week of a “blockade” targeting sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country. On December 10, US forces seized the Skipper, a large oil tanker sanctioned for its alleged links to Iran.
In contrast, the tanker seized on Saturday was not under US sanctions, the official said. The boarding was not contested by the vessel’s crew.
According to the official, the ship was a Panamanian-flagged tanker transporting Venezuelan oil and was bound for Asia. The operation took place in international waters and was led by the US Coast Guard with support from the US military.
Kristi Noem, whose department oversees the Coast Guard, shared a seven-minute video on social media showing a helicopter hovering above the tanker during what she described as a “predawn” operation. She said the vessel had last docked in Venezuela.
“The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil used to fund narco terrorism in the region,” Noem said.
Venezuela and Iran Condemn Seizure
Venezuela’s foreign minister, Yvan Gil, said on Saturday that Iran had offered its support to confront what Caracas described as acts of “piracy” and “international terrorism” by the US government.
Gil said he spoke with Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, to discuss bilateral relations and recent developments in the Caribbean, including what he called the “theft of ships loaded with Venezuelan oil.” He said Tehran expressed full solidarity with Venezuela and offered cooperation “in all areas,” arguing the US actions violate international law.
The latest seizure, combined with Trump’s public threats of potential land strikes on Venezuelan territory, has further increased pressure on Caracas by targeting its economic lifeline — oil exports — which have already been strained by new sanctions imposed earlier this year.
Oil at the Center of US Pressure Campaign
The United States is now several months into an intensified pressure campaign against Venezuela that has included deploying thousands of troops and a carrier strike group to the Caribbean, conducting strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels, and issuing repeated warnings against President Nicolás Maduro.
US military operations have destroyed dozens of alleged drug boats and killed more than 100 people, actions the administration says are aimed at disrupting illegal drug and migrant flows. Critics, however, view the measures as part of a broader effort to weaken Maduro’s government. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has suggested that removing Maduro is a central objective.
Trump’s recent declaration of a “blockade” has underscored his focus on Venezuela’s oil sector. State-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) controls the industry, while Houston-based Chevron remains the only US firm operating in the country under a sanctions exemption.
Although Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, production remains far below capacity due to international sanctions. Much of its crude is sold to China.
Venezuela has strongly criticized the US actions, calling the blockade “reckless” and a serious threat to its sovereignty. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government rejects what it called the hijacking of a private oil vessel and will pursue diplomatic and legal action, including raising the issue at the United Nations Security Council and other international forums.