The United States has seized a Venezuelan oil tanker in a dramatic escalation of tensions with President Nicolás Maduro, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday. The move highlights Washington’s increasing pressure on the Maduro government, which it has long accused of narcoterrorism and illicit activities involving Venezuela’s oil sector.
Details of the Oil Tanker Seizure
President Trump described the vessel as “a large, very large oil tanker, the largest ever seized,” but declined to provide further operational details, promising more information later.
The tanker, identified in U.S. media as the Skipper, departed Venezuela around December 2 carrying roughly 2 million barrels of heavy crude oil, according to documents from Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA. About half of the cargo reportedly belonged to a Cuban state-run oil importer.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi shared social media footage showing Coast Guard personnel descending by rope from helicopters and boarding the ship armed, conducting a coordinated operation with U.S. Navy support.
Historical Context and Sanctions
The Skipper was previously named M/T Adisa and had been sanctioned by the United States in 2022 for allegedly participating in a shadow tanker network smuggling crude oil for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah. U.S. authorities reported that the network was operated by a Switzerland-based Ukrainian oil trader.
The seizure represents a clear extension of the U.S. strategy to target Venezuelan oil exports, which are a central source of revenue for Maduro’s regime.
Venezuela’s Response
Venezuela condemned the operation as “blatant theft and an act of international piracy.” The foreign ministry claimed that U.S. actions reveal a motive to seize Venezuela’s natural resources, including oil and energy reserves, which belong to the Venezuelan people.
Maduro has sought OPEC+ support and emphasized Venezuela’s right to manage its resources independently, while highlighting potential diplomatic engagement following a recent phone call with President Trump. Maduro described the call as a possible opening for “respectful dialogue.”
Military Escalation and Regional Tensions
The seizure coincided with increased U.S. military activity in the region. Two U.S. fighter jets flew over the Gulf of Venezuela, marking one of the closest approaches by American combat aircraft to Venezuelan airspace since the administration’s pressure campaign began. Washington has also deployed its largest military presence in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific in decades, conducting strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels.
President Trump has hinted at possible ground operations in Venezuela but has not revealed details about location or scope. The actions signal a willingness by the U.S. to intensify pressure on Maduro, both economically and militarily.
Implications for Venezuela
The tanker seizure significantly escalates tensions in the region and threatens Maduro’s control over Venezuela’s vital oil exports. Analysts suggest that this move, combined with sanctions and military pressure, could reshape Venezuela’s political landscape and increase international support for opposition leaders.
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