US again seizes oil tanker off coast of Venezuela
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- The US apprehended a tanker off Venezuela suspected of carrying sanctioned oil, prompting Caracas to call the move “theft and kidnapping.”
- The operation occurs amid a major US military deployment in the Caribbean and heightened tensions over Venezuela’s oil and political leadership.
The United States "apprehended" an oil tanker off Venezuela on Saturday, a move Caracas deemed a "theft and kidnapping," in the latest salvo of Washington’s pressure campaign. It was the second tanker interdiction in two weeks, following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a blockade on “sanctioned oil vessels” to and from Venezuela.
Details of the interdiction
US Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem said the pre-dawn operation involved the Coast Guard with Department of War support. Video footage showed a helicopter hovering over the deck of the tanker. The vessel, identified as the Centuries, is Chinese-owned and Panama-flagged, and was suspected of carrying oil subject to US sanctions.
Caracas condemns the operation
Venezuelan authorities slammed the seizure, calling it theft and kidnapping. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez vowed defiance against what he described as lies, manipulation, and military threats, while Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Iran was supporting Venezuela against “piracy and international terrorism” by the United States.
Broader military context
The interception comes amid a major US military deployment in the Caribbean, including 11 warships, aimed at countering drug trafficking and pressuring Venezuela. The US has also conducted air strikes against alleged drug trafficking boats in the region since September, which critics have questioned legally.
Regional tensions and diplomacy
The seizure occurred as South American leaders met for a Mercosur summit. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned that armed conflict over Venezuela could trigger a humanitarian catastrophe, while Argentine President Javier Milei supported US pressure on Caracas.
