Trump Confirms Venezuela Oil Tanker Seizure by U.S./ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump confirmed the U.S. seizure of a large oil tanker near Venezuela amid escalating tensions with Nicolás Maduro’s government. The operation involved Coast Guard forces and focused on an allegedly sanctioned vessel linked to illicit oil trade. Venezuela condemned the act as piracy and resource theft.
U.S. Oil Tanker Seizure Near Venezuela: Quick Looks
- Trump confirms U.S. forces seized oil tanker near Venezuela
- Tanker was tied to sanctioned networks and Cuba-bound oil
- Operation led by Coast Guard with Navy support
- Seizure tied to broader pressure campaign on Maduro
- Venezuela denounces action as piracy and resource theft
- Congress scrutinizes Trump’s military operations in the region
- Democrats call seizure a step toward regime change
- Skipper tanker previously linked to Iran and Hezbollah oil networks
Trump Confirms Venezuela Oil Tanker Seizure by U.S.
Deep Look
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, significantly escalating tensions with President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. The rare military-led seizure underscores a wider strategy by the Trump administration to tighten economic pressure on Venezuela and disrupt international networks allegedly supporting terrorist groups through illicit oil trade.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said, “We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually.” When asked about the fate of the oil, he bluntly added, “Well, we keep it, I guess.”
The president provided no further operational details, but a U.S. official confirmed that the seizure was carried out by the Coast Guard with assistance from the U.S. Navy. The action was taken under U.S. law enforcement authority, and marks one of the most assertive maritime moves against Venezuela in recent years.
Seizing the Skipper
The operation involved Coast Guard personnel deploying from helicopters launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford, which has been stationed in the Caribbean Sea since last month as part of a show of force. Video released by Attorney General Pam Bondi shows commandos fast-roping onto the ship and securing the superstructure at gunpoint.
Bondi stated the seized vessel had been under U.S. sanctions for years due to its involvement in illicit oil trade benefiting foreign terrorist organizations. Venezuela’s government labeled the action “international piracy,” saying the seizure confirms that U.S. hostility is ultimately about controlling the country’s vast oil reserves.
According to a U.S. official, the vessel — now identified as the Skipper — departed Venezuela on December 2 with around 2 million barrels of heavy crude oil. Documents from Venezuela’s state-run oil firm, PDVSA, reveal that roughly half the cargo was bound for a Cuban government importer.
The Skipper had previously operated under the name M/T Adisa, which was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022. It was believed to be part of a shadow fleet tied to Iranian and Hezbollah-linked oil smuggling operations, run through a Ukrainian oil trader based in Switzerland, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
Economic Pressure on Maduro
Venezuela, despite holding the largest proven oil reserves globally, has seen its daily output reduced to about 1 million barrels. The oil industry is the backbone of the Venezuelan economy and has been a key target in Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign, initially launched during Trump’s first term.
The U.S. sanctions penalize anyone conducting business with PDVSA, effectively isolating the regime financially. In response, Venezuela increasingly relies on murky networks involving intermediaries, ghost tankers, and mid-sea transfers to keep oil flowing to allies like Russia, Iran, and Cuba.
Many of these operations are facilitated through shell companies and unregistered ships operating without transponders. The U.S. has begun cracking down on this activity, and the Skipper’s seizure is seen as a strong signal to others operating in similar capacities.
Caracas Reacts, Trump Stays Firm
President Maduro did not directly address the seizure during a speech at a rally in Caracas, but delivered a defiant message to his supporters. “We are prepared to break the teeth of the North American empire if necessary,” he declared.
Venezuelan authorities said the seizure reflects long-standing U.S. ambitions to control Venezuela’s energy wealth. “The aggression has always been about our natural resources — our oil, our energy,” said an official government statement.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to take an aggressive stance. In addition to the seizure, U.S. fighter jets flew over the Gulf of Venezuela a day earlier, in what analysts say was a calculated demonstration of aerial dominance. Trump has hinted at future ground operations but has not provided specifics.
Growing Congressional Concern
Trump’s military campaign in the region, particularly against alleged drug-smuggling vessels, has raised alarms in Congress. Since September, at least 87 individuals have died in 22 known maritime strikes — including two survivors killed in a follow-up attack.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, voiced concern that the oil tanker seizure undermines the official justification for the military buildup. “This shows that their whole cover story — that this is about interdicting drugs — is a big lie,” Van Hollen said. “This is just one more piece of evidence that this is really about regime change — by force.”
Legal experts and some Democratic lawmakers have also questioned whether recent strikes comply with international laws governing the use of deadly force. Congress is demanding unedited footage of the operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers he is still deciding whether to release the videos.
Naval historian Vincent P. O’Hara described the tanker seizure as “very unusual” and “provocative,” noting it could discourage maritime traffic near Venezuela’s coast. “If you have no maritime traffic or access to that, then you have no economy,” he said.
As the Trump administration continues its high-pressure tactics against Maduro’s government, the seizure of the Skipper marks a significant moment — one that further complicates already tense U.S.–Venezuela relations and draws increased scrutiny from both domestic and international observers.
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