U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Near Venezuela
Trump says the U.S. will keep the oil as Maduro calls the move an act of piracy.
U.S. forces seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said, in a rare operation that sharply escalates pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Trump described the vessel as “the largest one ever seized” and said the United States would keep the oil, though he offered few details about the operation or the ship’s ownership. T
he seizure was carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard with support from other federal agencies.
The tanker, identified by U.S. officials as the Skipper, had been under U.S. sanctions for years for allegedly moving oil tied to Venezuela and Iran.
A video released by U.S. authorities showed Coast Guard and military personnel boarding the vessel by helicopter.
The move took place as part of a broader U.S. effort in the region that has included military deployments and strikes against suspected drug-smuggling boats.
Venezuela’s government strongly condemned the action, calling it a “blatant theft” and an “act of international piracy.”
Caracas said it would defend its sovereignty and bring complaints before international bodies.
The seizure adds to growing tensions between Washington and Caracas and could have implications for global oil markets, where prices rose slightly after news of the operation.