Venezuela has condemned the U.S. seizure of an oil tanker off its coast, describing the action as "blatant theft" and "international piracy." The move marks a sharp escalation in Washington-Caracas tensions, as Venezuelan officials vow to contest the seizure through international bodies.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation on Wednesday, calling it the "largest one ever seized."
British maritime risk management group Vanguard said the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Skipper was believed to have been seized off Venezuela early on Wednesday.
However, Trump administration officials did not name the vessel or disclose its location at the time of the seizure.
The vessel, which had been sanctioned by the U.S. for transporting oil linked to both Venezuela and Iran, was targeted under a federal seizure warrant. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi explained that the vessel was involved in what Washington calls an "illicit, terrorism-linked shipping network."
Bondi posted on X that the FBI, Homeland Security and Coast Guard, along with support from the U.S. military, carried out a seizure warrant for a crude tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
A 45-second video posted by Bondi showed two helicopters approaching a vessel and armed individuals in camouflage rappelling onto it.
Iran's embassy in Caracas condemned the action as a "grave violation of international laws and norms" in a post on X on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters, President Trump said, "As you probably know, we've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized actually."
He added that "other things are happening," without providing further details.
The Skipper left Venezuela's main oil port of Jose between 4 and 5 December after loading some 1.8 million barrels of Venezuela's Merey heavy crude. It transferred about 200,000 barrels near Curacao to the Panama-flagged Neptune 6 bound for Cuba before the seizure, according to satellite information analysed by TankerTrackers.com and internal data from Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.
When asked about the fate of the oil on the ship, Trump responded, "Well, we keep it. I guess."
Ongoing pressure
The incident is expected to further strain relations between the two countries, particularly as it comes amid Venezuela's ongoing struggles under U.S. sanctions.
In recent months, the U.S. has carried out more than 20 strikes on vessels it claims are involved in drug smuggling, with deadly results. These operations have raised legal and human rights concerns, with many questioning the legality of the strikes.
In addition, U.S. military aircraft have been stationed in Puerto Rico, where surveillance and transport units are supporting the broader regional buildup. The move is part of what U.S. officials describe as “enhanced readiness” in the Caribbean basin.
These developments come at a time when Venezuela’s oil exports are reaching some of their highest levels of the year, despite facing intense U.S. sanctions and growing competition from other sanctioned oil producers.
The seizure of the tanker and the increased U.S. military presence signal Washington’s continued determination to apply pressure on Maduro’s government and limit Venezuela’s oil exports. This latest escalation highlights the deepening geopolitical divide between the two nations, with Venezuela vowing to resist further U.S. actions.
Iran said on Sunday (10 May) that it had sent its response to a U.S. proposal aimed at launching peace talks to end the war, as signs of tentative ...
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has cited Azerbaijan as an example of what he described as a sovereign foreign policy, recalling rem...
China’s exports grew faster than expected in April, as overseas buyers moved quickly to secure supplies a...
President Donald Trump called Iran’s response to a US war proposal “totally unacceptable” after Tehran sent its reply through med...
Russia is holding a significantly scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May 2026, reflecting heightened security concerns and the ongoing w...
Iran said on Sunday (10 May) that it had sent its response to a U.S. proposal aimed at launching peace talks to end the war, as signs of tentative movement emerged around the Strait of Hormuz despite renewed security incidents across the Gulf.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has cited Azerbaijan as an example of what he described as a sovereign foreign policy, recalling remarks made by President Ilham Aliyev during talks in Yerevan, where he sharply criticised resolutions adopted against his country by the European Parliament.
Russia is holding a significantly scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May 2026, reflecting heightened security concerns and the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
Centre-right leader Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister on Saturday, propelled into office on promises of change after years of economic stagnation and strained ties with key allies under his predecessor Viktor Orbán.
Efforts to end the U.S.-Iran war appeared to stall as the two sides exchanged fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz. A reported CIA assessment suggested Tehran could withstand a U.S. naval blockade for months despite mounting sanctions and renewed Gulf attacks.
British paratroopers and military medics have been deployed to Tristan da Cunha after a suspected hantavirus case was confirmed, as first evacuation flights carrying passengers from the stricken MV Hondius cruise ship left Tenerife for Madrid and Paris.
Russia is holding a significantly scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May 2026, reflecting heightened security concerns and the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
Indonesian rescue teams have located two Singaporeans who went missing after Mount Dukono erupted on Friday (8 May) on the island of Halmahera, though authorities say it remains unclear whether they are alive.
The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified files on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) on Friday (8 May), following an order from President Donald Trump. U.S. officials described as a push for “unprecedented transparency”.
China’s leading chipmakers are funnelling unprecedented sums into research and development as Beijing accelerates efforts to reduce reliance on foreign technology amid intensifying U.S. export restrictions.
Centre-right leader Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister on Saturday, propelled into office on promises of change after years of economic stagnation and strained ties with key allies under his predecessor Viktor Orbán.
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has warned that France risks undermining the self-determination rights of the Kanak Indigenous People in New Caledonia amid proposed political and constitutional reforms.
Somalia is facing a severe malnutrition crisis and urgently needs additional humanitarian funding to prevent conditions deteriorating further, the World Food Programme has warned.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to carry on as leader on Friday (8 May) after his ruling Labour Party suffered heavy losses in local elections. Labour lost hundreds of councillors across the country, as some figures in the party said he should stand down.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment