US forces have taken control of an oil tanker near Venezuela’s shores in a significant escalation of tensions between the two nations. President Donald Trump confirmed this development during a White House meeting, following his recent warning of potential military actions within Venezuela to combat drug-related activities in Latin America.
According to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the seized oil tanker has been under U.S. sanctions for its involvement in an illegal oil shipping network that supported foreign terrorist organizations. Ship tracking data revealed that the vessel, previously known as the M/T Adisa, was identified as the Skipper.
The Adisa, sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022, was linked to a network of shadow tankers accused of smuggling crude oil for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The illicit network was allegedly operated by a Ukrainian oil trader based in Switzerland.
Anonymous sources confirmed that the ship, now named the Skipper, departed Venezuela with around 2 million barrels of heavy crude, half of which was associated with a Cuban state-run oil importer, as per documents from Petróleos de Venezuela S.A.
Venezuela’s government denounced the U.S.’s actions as “blatant theft and international piracy,” attributing the aggression to a desire for the country’s natural resources, particularly its oil reserves. The ongoing conflict between the two nations has heightened with the recent oil tanker seizure.
President Trump also issued threats towards Colombia and its president, Gustavo Petro, accusing the country of involvement in cocaine production. In response, Petro has denied any ties to drug trafficking and criticized the U.S. for its aggressive tactics.
The U.S.’s interception of the oil tanker is seen as a significant move in the escalating tensions with Venezuela, targeting a vital revenue source for President Maduro’s administration. The incident follows previous U.S. measures, including tariffs on Venezuelan oil imports, aimed at increasing pressure on Maduro.
President Trump hinted at further actions following the tanker seizure, emphasizing the strategic importance of the operation. The Maduro government condemned the U.S.’s efforts as an attempt to seize Venezuela’s extensive oil reserves, a critical asset for the country’s economy.
As the situation unfolds, the U.S. administration’s actions in Venezuela continue to draw international attention and spark concerns about the region’s stability.