Washington and Caracas are locked in a deepening dispute over oil shipments, as teh U.S. Navy continues to intercept tankers suspected of violating sanctions against the Venezuelan government. The latest escalation came Saturday with the condemnation by Venezuela of a second tanker seizure by U.S. forces, prompting accusations of “international piracy” and vows to pursue legal challenges. The moves underscore the increasingly assertive U.S. policy aimed at curtailing revenue to the Maduro regime and come amid broader regional concerns over drug trafficking and geopolitical influence.
Published On 21/12/2025
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آخر تحديث: 04:00 (توقيت مكة)
The Venezuelan government has condemned the seizure of a second oil tanker by the United States as an act of “dangerous international piracy.” The incident, confirmed Saturday, further escalates tensions between Washington and Caracas over control of Venezuelan oil exports.
According to a government statement, Venezuela “denounces and rejects the theft and kidnapping of a new private ship transporting oil, as well as the forced disappearance of its crew, perpetrated by members of the U.S. military in international waters.”
Caracas stated it will pursue legal action, including filing a complaint with the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral organizations, and governments.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed that the U.S. blockade of oil tankers sanctioned by and traveling to Venezuela “will remain in full force.”
The Pentagon, in coordination with the Coast Guard, will continue to conduct “decisive maritime interdictions” to dismantle what Austin described as “criminal networks.”
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary also vowed to pursue the trafficking of sanctioned oil allegedly funding drug terrorism in the region. The U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Pentagon, confirmed Saturday the detention of an oil tanker that had docked in Venezuela.
Earlier Saturday, U.S. officials reported that American forces had stopped a second commercial vessel off the Venezuelan coast in international waters. The tanker reportedly complied with orders and allowed U.S. forces to board.
The developments follow a directive issued Tuesday by President Donald Trump to impose a blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, the latest move by Washington to pressure the government of President Nicolás Maduro and target a key revenue source.
Changing the Situation
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Friday that the U.S. is determined to change the situation in Venezuela, asserting that the current state of the Venezuelan regime is unacceptable to Washington.
Since the summer, the United States has deployed a large naval fleet to the Caribbean Sea, ostensibly to combat drug trafficking in Latin America. Several operations have been conducted against vessels originating from Venezuela suspected of carrying narcotics, though experts, NGOs, and U.S. officials have questioned the legality of these actions.
Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have recently escalated, with Trump issuing an executive order in August increasing the use of the military under the guise of combating drug cartels in Latin America. Washington has announced the deployment of warships and a submarine off the Venezuelan coast, while Austin indicated the military is prepared for operations, including regime change in Venezuela. The situation highlights the ongoing geopolitical competition for influence in the region.
