By Sarah Baafi
The United States has seized a large oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude off Venezuela’s coast. President Donald Trump announced this on Wednesday, escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas and putting upward pressure on global oil prices.
Trump described the seized vessel as “very large, the largest one ever,” adding that the U.S. intends to keep the oil onboard. This marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s tough stance toward Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has faced ongoing U.S. sanctions since 2019 aimed at pressuring him to step down.
In response, Venezuela’s government condemned the seizure as an act of “international piracy” and accused the U.S. of blatant theft, pledging to raise the issue with global authorities. Iranian officials also denounced the move, calling it a violation of international law.
The tanker, identified by maritime analysts as the VLCC Skipper, had loaded approximately 1.8 million barrels of Venezuela’s heavy crude from the Jose oil terminal earlier this month. It had also transferred a portion of the oil near Curacao before the seizure, according to satellite tracking and data from Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA. The ship had been under sanctions for its previous involvement in transporting Iranian oil.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the operation involved multiple agencies including the FBI, Homeland Security, Coast Guard, and military support. A short video circulated by Bondi showed armed personnel rappelling from helicopters onto the tanker.
Oil markets reacted swiftly. Brent crude prices rose 0.4% to settle at $62.21 per barrel, while U.S. benchmarks gained a similar proportion. Analysts indicate that though the seizure may tighten supply concerns, the impact on overall oil availability is limited since these barrels were already part of ongoing shipments.
Despite increasing pressure, Venezuela’s oil exports remain relatively stable, with over 900,000 barrels per day leaving the country last month. However, Venezuela has had to sell its crude at steep discounts due to global competition and U.S. sanctions.
The incident comes amid heightened U.S. military presence in the region and repeated strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels, which have stirred controversy among lawmakers and human rights advocates over legality and civilian casualties.
President Maduro has claimed the U.S. aims to seize control of Venezuela’s oil resources through military means. Meanwhile, Chevron, the only major U.S. oil company still operating in Venezuela, said its activities continue uninterrupted despite the geopolitical tensions.
This latest action illustrates the Trump administration’s strategic push to reassert American influence in the Western Hemisphere, with Venezuela’s political and resource crisis at its core.
Source:Reuters
