The United States has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in its pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro's government. President Donald Trump confirmed the seizure on Wednesday, saying it was the largest such seizure ever conducted by the U.S. and that the vessel was taken for a "very good reason."
The operation, carried out by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Department of Defense, involved armed personnel rappelling from helicopters onto the ship, as shown in a video posted by Attorney General Pam Bondi on X.
"Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran," Bondi wrote. "For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely—and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues."
On her part, Homeland Security Secretary NKristi Noem wrote: "America rules the waves. Today @USCG in collaboration with @ICEgov, @FBI, @DeptofWar and @TheJusticeDept led a targeted operation to seize a crude oil tanker sanctioned by the U.S. government for transporting oil from Venezuela and Iran in support of foreign terrorist organizations. If you threaten our nation, or break the law, there is no place on land or sea where we won’t find you. Thank you to our brave service members. America FIRST"
The tanker, believed to be the Skipper, was carrying Venezuelan crude and had been previously sanctioned due to its links to an illicit oil network supporting foreign terrorist organizations, including connections to Cuba. The seizure occurred in international waters and proceeded without incident or casualties.
The vessel was en route to Cuba, where it was to be sold to Asian energy brokers through the state firm Cubametales. The U.S. government intends to keep the seized oil, with Trump saying, "We keep it, I guess." The vessel registered to Triton Navigation in the Marshall Islands, was previously known as the Adisa.
The move has been condemned by Venezuela as "an act of international piracy" and a violation of its sovereignty, with the government vowing to appeal to international bodies.
The operation is part of a broader U.S. strategy that includes a military buildup in the Caribbean, strikes on suspected drug vessels, and efforts to force Maduro from power.
The seizure has raised concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supplies, though analysts note the impact may be limited since the tanker was already on the U.S. sanctions list.
Despite the seizure, Chevron continues its operations in Venezuela under a renewed license, with no disruption reported.
