U.S. Seizes Another Oil Tanker Off Venezuela's Shores
- 21.12.2025, 11:34
The tactical team boarded the vessel.
The U.S. military has seized a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, days after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a complete blockade of all under-sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela, reports VBC.
This is the second time in less than two weeks that a tanker has been seized. The vessel detained this time was not under U.S. sanctions.
In recent weeks, the U.S. has increased its military presence off Venezuela's coast, saying the actions are aimed at combating drug trafficking, but Caracas believes Washington is seeking regime change to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, primarily oil.
Since September, the US has struck more than 20 vessels in the Caribbean suspected of drug trafficking, killing at least 87 people.
On Dec. 10, the US seized the large oil tanker Skipper, which was under US sanctions for ties to Iran.
The operation on Saturday, as it was first carried out by the US Coast Guard with assistance from the US military. A special tactical team boarded the vessel, which was in international waters at the time.
"The United States will continue to pursue the illegal movement of sanctioned oil used to fund narco-terrorism in the region," U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem said on Web X, posting a seven-minute video of the operation.
The Centuries vessel detained Saturday was not under U.S. sanctions, according to media reports, while Trump's blockade order was for sub-sanctioned tankers.
The vessel was flying the flag of Panama and headed to Asia, according to CNN. Over the past five years, the Chinese-owned tanker has also sailed under the flags of Greece and Liberia, BBC Verify adds.
Sanctions have been imposed on Venezuelan oil, although there are exemptions from the sanctions regime for some companies, such as US-based Chevron. Chevron drills in many parts of Venezuela and works in conjunction with the state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).