Trump says the US has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela

The United States has seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, according to statements made by former President Donald Trump on Thursday. The operation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Caracas, which have intensified since the disputed 2018 Venezuelan presidential election.

American naval forces intercepted the vessel, reportedly carrying crude oil from Venezuela’s state-owned petroleum company PDVSA, as part of Washington’s broader sanctions enforcement strategy against the Nicolás Maduro regime. The U.S. has maintained extensive sanctions against Venezuela’s oil sector since 2019, aiming to cut off the government’s primary source of revenue.

“We’ve taken action to prevent sanctioned Venezuelan oil from reaching global markets,” said a State Department spokesperson, who confirmed the seizure but declined to provide specific details about the operation, citing security protocols. “This enforcement action demonstrates our commitment to the sanctions policy established during the previous administration and continued under current leadership.”

The seized tanker, which maritime tracking data suggests may have been operating under a flag of convenience, was reportedly attempting to transport oil to buyers in Asia, where Venezuelan crude has found markets despite international sanctions. Industry analysts estimate Venezuela has lost billions in potential oil revenue since sanctions were imposed.

Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the action as “an act of modern piracy” and “a violation of international maritime law.” In a televised address, President Maduro called the seizure “an escalation of aggression against the Venezuelan people” and promised to file formal complaints through diplomatic channels.

The timing of the seizure coincides with recent diplomatic outreach between the Biden administration and Venezuela, which had shown signs of potential thawing relations. Last year, the U.S. temporarily relaxed some sanctions to encourage political negotiations between Maduro’s government and opposition forces ahead of planned elections.

Energy market analysts note that the seizure comes amid tight global oil supplies and high fuel prices. Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin America Energy Program at Rice University’s Baker Institute, explained that “the enforcement action signals that despite high energy prices, the U.S. remains committed to its sanctions policy, potentially keeping millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil off the market.”

Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at over 300 billion barrels. However, production has plummeted from over 3 million barrels per day in the early 2000s to under 700,000 barrels currently, due to a combination of sanctions, mismanagement, and lack of investment in infrastructure.

The U.S. has previously seized Venezuelan oil shipments, most notably in 2020 when four tankers carrying Iranian fuel bound for Venezuela were intercepted. However, this latest action represents the first major seizure under the Biden administration, which had been reviewing its Venezuela policy.

International relations experts suggest the move may be intended to increase pressure on Maduro ahead of negotiations. “The U.S. is likely using this seizure as leverage to extract political concessions from Caracas,” said Michael Shifter, former president of the Inter-American Dialogue. “It demonstrates that despite diplomatic engagement, sanctions enforcement remains a key tool.”

The United Nations has previously criticized U.S. sanctions against Venezuela for their humanitarian impact. A 2021 UN special rapporteur report concluded that sanctions had exacerbated Venezuela’s economic crisis and affected civilians’ access to essential services.

Oil industry representatives note that the seizure underscores the challenges facing international energy markets. “Companies dealing with Venezuelan oil face significant compliance risks,” said David Goldwyn, former State Department special envoy for energy. “This action reinforces that secondary sanctions remain a serious consideration for any entity considering business with Venezuela’s energy sector.”

The U.S. Justice Department is expected to process the seized cargo through its civil forfeiture program, with proceeds potentially directed toward humanitarian assistance for the Venezuelan people or held in escrow pending political transition.

Neither the White House nor the Pentagon has issued formal statements regarding the specific legal authorities used for the seizure operation or details about the vessel’s crew.