The U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Oil Tanker Off Venezuelan Coast, Trump Confirms

Evan Vucci/AP

Donald Trump, The U.S. President.

The United States has seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, in what Washington describes as an operation targeting illicit oil shipments linked to Tehran and Caracas. President Donald Trump confirmed the action on Tuesday, praising the agencies involved.

According to U.S. officials, the vessel Skipper was intercepted pursuant to a federal warrant and taken into American custody during a coordinated maritime operation. Footage released by the U.S. Department of Justice shows helicopters approaching and boarding the tanker, with the mission led by the U.S. Coast Guard and supported by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.

The ship had been sanctioned for allegedly transporting oil in violation of U.S. restrictions on both Iran and Venezuela. Washington has accused networks linked to the two countries of operating shadow tankers to evade international monitoring.

Venezuela condemned the seizure, describing it as “acts of international piracy” and a violation of its sovereignty, while criticising Washington for escalating actions against President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

The operation marks a further intensification of US pressure on Venezuela’s oil sector and comes amid broader tensions involving sanctions enforcement and maritime security in the Caribbean.

Sources: Reuters, The Independent, and Politico


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