US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced, marking a major escalation in Washington’s pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Trump told reporters at the White House: “We have just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela — a very large tanker, actually the largest ever seized.”
US Attorney General Pam Bondi released footage of the operation and described the vessel as a “crude oil tanker transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.”
Caracas quickly condemned the action, calling it an act of “international piracy.” President Maduro has repeatedly stated that Venezuela will never become an “oil colony.”
US Pressure Campaign Intensifies
The Trump administration accuses Venezuela of sending illegal narcotics into the US and has increased efforts to isolate Maduro politically and economically.
Venezuela, which holds some of the world’s biggest oil reserves, claims Washington is simply trying to seize its resources.
News of the seizure pushed Brent crude prices slightly higher, with analysts warning the move could create new risks for global shipping and further disrupt Venezuela’s oil exports.
According to Bondi, the operation involved multiple US agencies, including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and the Coast Guard.
Footage showed a military helicopter hovering over the tanker, with troops fast-roping onto the deck. A US official confirmed the helicopters launched from the USS Gerald Ford — the world’s largest aircraft carrier — currently stationed in the Caribbean.
The mission included two helicopters, 10 Coast Guard members, 10 Marines, and special forces units.
What Happens to the Oil?
When asked about the fate of the oil, Trump casually responded: “We keep it, I guess… I assume we’re going to keep the oil.”
Maritime analysts identified the tanker as the Skipper, long suspected of “spoofing” its location to hide illegal movements.
BBC Verify confirmed the vessel in the US footage is indeed the Skipper.
The tanker has faced US sanctions since 2022 for alleged involvement in smuggling operations that generated revenue for Hezbollah and Iran’s IRGC-Quds Force.
Guyana later clarified that the Skipper was falsely flying its national flag and was not registered in the country.
Venezuelan Government Outrage
Venezuelan officials strongly denounced the seizure.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello called the US “murderers, thieves, pirates,” comparing American forces to “high seas criminals.”
Maduro, speaking at a rally, delivered a message to Americans opposing war with Venezuela by referencing the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
He sang portions of the song, saying: “Not war — be happy.”
It remains unclear whether Maduro knew about the tanker seizure before the rally.
Rising Military Tensions in the Caribbean
The US has recently increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea, deploying thousands of troops and positioning the USS Gerald Ford within striking distance of Venezuela.
This buildup has fueled speculation of potential military action.
Since September, the US has carried out at least 22 strikes on boats allegedly involved in drug smuggling. More than 80 people have been killed in these operations.