US seizes Venezuelan oil tanker in helicopter raid

• US forces seize Venezuelan oil tanker in a dramatic helicopter raid.
• Washington plans to bring the vessel to a US port and confiscate the oil.
• Venezuela condemns the operation as "blatant theft" and international piracy.

The United States has seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, announcing plans to bring the vessel to a US port as pressure mounts on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The dramatic raid involved US forces rappelling from a helicopter onto the ship, an operation Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described as targeting Maduro’s “regime.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “The vessel will go to a US port and the United States does intend to seize the oil. We’re not going to stand by and watch sanctioned vessels sail the seas with black-market oil, the proceeds of which will fuel narco-terrorism of rogue and illegitimate regimes around the world.”

The Trump administration has intensified its naval presence in the region over recent months, targeting vessels alleged to be involved in drug trafficking, with operations that have reportedly resulted in nearly 90 deaths. Noem told Congress the tanker operation was part of efforts to push back against Maduro’s “regime that is systematically covering and flooding our country with deadly drugs.”

A video released by US Attorney General Pam Bondi showed American forces descending from a helicopter and taking control of the tanker, which she described as part of an “illicit oil shipping network” used to transport sanctioned oil.

- Venezuela, Russia respond -

Venezuelan authorities condemned the operation, calling it “blatant theft and an act of international piracy.” Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for Maduro during a phone call, though Moscow’s ability to intervene is limited due to its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The UN Secretary-General also urged all parties to exercise restraint. “We are calling on all actors to refrain from action that could further escalate bilateral tensions and destabilize Venezuela and the region,” his spokesperson said.

- Political and legal fallout -

US media reported the tanker had been heading to Cuba when intercepted by the Coast Guard. Senator Dick Durbin criticized the operation, questioning its legality and warning that a presidential action of this scale should have Congressional approval.

Washington has accused Maduro of leading the so-called “Cartel of the Suns,” declaring it a “narco-terrorist” organization and offering a USD 50 million reward for information leading to his capture. Additional sanctions were imposed on Maduro’s relatives and several Venezuelan oil companies.

President Trump has repeatedly threatened Maduro, saying his “days are numbered” and leaving open the possibility of a US ground invasion. Maduro, however, maintains that the US seeks regime change to seize Venezuela’s oil resources.