Washington DC: The United States has seized a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s government amid rising diplomatic and security tensions between the two countries, according to US officials cited by Al Jazeera.
The latest seizure comes days after US President Donald Trump announced a blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, accusing the Maduro administration of using oil revenues to fund narco-terrorism. The operation was carried out by the US Coast Guard with logistical and operational support from the Pentagon.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Washington would continue targeting illegal oil movements linked to criminal networks in the region. In a post on X, she stated that the United States would pursue sanctioned oil shipments allegedly being used to finance narco-terrorism.
Officials familiar with the operation said the tanker voluntarily halted and allowed US forces to board it, describing the action as a “consented boarding.” While the precise location of the seizure was not disclosed, multiple officials confirmed that the Coast Guard led the operation.
Following the first seizure last week, Venezuelan oil exports have reportedly dropped sharply, with several tankers carrying millions of barrels of crude remaining in Venezuelan waters to avoid interception. This has effectively created a de facto embargo on the country’s oil shipments, according to analysts.
While many vessels lifting oil from Venezuela are under US sanctions, some ships transporting Venezuelan crude from Iran and Russia are not restricted. Certain companies, including US-based Chevron, continue to move Venezuelan oil using authorised vessels under existing exemptions.
China remains the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude, accounting for roughly four per cent of its total oil imports. Analysts estimate that shipments to China in December are on track to exceed 600,000 barrels per day. Despite the disruption, global oil markets remain well supplied, with significant volumes currently stored on tankers off the Chinese coast awaiting unloading.
Trump’s renewed pressure campaign against Maduro has also included an increased US military presence in the region. According to reports, American forces have carried out multiple strikes on vessels in waters near Venezuela in recent months, resulting in significant casualties.
