The incident marks the second time in recent weeks that the US has seized an oil tanker near Venezuela.
The United States has seized an oil tanker that had most recently docked in Venezuela, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on Saturday.
In a post on X, Noem said the operation was part of Washington’s efforts to stop the illegal transport of sanctioned oil, which she claimed is used to finance narco-terrorism in the region. According to her statement, the US Coast Guard intercepted the vessel before dawn with assistance from the Pentagon.
The seizure comes just days after US President Donald Trump announced a blockade targeting all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela.
This marks the second tanker seized by the United States near Venezuela in recent weeks. The move coincides with an increased US military presence in the region, as the Trump administration continues to intensify pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Adam Clements, a former US diplomat and Pentagon official, told Top News Channels that it remains uncertain whether these measures will achieve their intended goals. He noted that the Trump administration has repeatedly emphasized efforts to curb drug trafficking and refocus US policy on the Western Hemisphere, while also signaling possible support for regime change in Venezuela.
