President Donald Trump has previously accused Caracas of “stealing” Washington’s energy assets
The United States has seized another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, escalating pressure on Caracas just days after President Donald Trump announced a “total and complete” blockade of unilaterally sanctioned oil shipments.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the raid on Saturday, saying the US Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, apprehended a tanker that had recently docked in Venezuela.
Noem also published a video of the operation in a post on X, claiming that the pre-dawn action targeted the “illicit movement of sanctioned oil” allegedly used to fund “narco-terrorism” in the region.
The move comes amid a US military buildup near Venezuela and follows Trump’s order earlier this week to block all “sanctioned” oil tankers entering or leaving the country. However, unlike a tanker seized earlier this month, the vessel intercepted this weekend was not itself under US sanctions and was carrying Venezuelan crude bound for Asia, according to CNN.
In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela.
The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund… pic.twitter.com/nSZ4mi6axc
The seizure took place in international waters and marks the second such interdiction in recent weeks. Since the first interdiction, several vessels have reportedly remained in Venezuelan waters rather than risk seizure, sharply reducing the country’s crude exports.
Earlier this week, Trump accused Venezuela of “stealing” US oil assets and investments, saying Washington “wants it back” and warning that otherwise Caracas would feel the wrath of the “largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America.”
The growing US pressure campaign since September has included naval deployments, vessel seizures, and dozens of US strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats near Venezuela, which US officials say have killed more than 100 suspected cartel members.
Caracas has denied any involvement in drug smuggling and condemned the seizures and blockade as illegal acts of piracy, warning that it will defend its sovereignty. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Washington of pursuing regime change to gain control of the country’s vast oil reserves.
Russia and China have also weighed in, urging restraint. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that escalating tensions could lead to “unforeseen developments,” while China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing opposes “unilateralism and bullying” and supports Venezuela’s sovereign right to trade freely.
The US has not ruled out further action, with Trump recently saying that even land strikes on Venezuela remain on the table.
