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US Seizes Second Oil Tanker Off Venezuela Coast In Escalating Sanctions Enforcement

The U.S. just seized another oil tanker near Venezuela, ramping up pressure on President Maduro's government. Officials say this is part of an effort to cut off funds from oil sales that they claim support narco-terrorism. Since the first seizure, many ships are now too scared to leave Venezuelan waters, causing the country's oil exports to drop sharply. It looks like this tense standoff over oil isn't

Key Points: US Seizes Second Venezuelan Oil Tanker, Escalating Pressure on Maduro Government | ANI

  • US seizes second oil tanker off Venezuela coast
  • Venezuelan crude exports fall sharply post-seizures
  • Operation described as "consented boarding" by officials
  • Action part of broader US pressure campaign on Maduro
  • China remains largest buyer of Venezuelan crude
  • Seizures create effective embargo on loaded vessels
3 min read

US seizes second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela

US Coast Guard, with Pentagon support, seizes second sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela in "consented boarding" operation, disrupting crude exports as part of broader pressure campaign.

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region. - Kristi Noem / US Homeland Security Secretary"

Washington DC, December 21

The United States seized a second oil vessel off the coast of Venezuela, marking the latest escalation in tensions between the two countries, according to US officials cited by Al Jazeera.

This move comes days after President Trump announced a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, citing concerns over the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government's alleged involvement in narco-terrorism

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in a post on X on Saturday, wrote, "The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region."

The seizure was carried out by the US Coast Guard, with support from the Pentagon, and is part of a broader effort to disrupt Venezuela's oil exports and pressure Maduro to step down.

Three officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to Al Jazeera's sources, did not disclose the location of the operation but noted that the coastguard was in the lead.

Two officials also confirmed the operation. The action was described as a "consented boarding," with the tanker voluntarily stopping and allowing US forces to board it, one official said.

In the days since US forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela's coast last week, there has been an effective embargo in place, with loaded vessels carrying millions of barrels of oil staying in Venezuelan waters rather than risking seizure, as per Al Jazeera.

Since the first seizure, Venezuelan crude exports have fallen sharply.

While many vessels picking up oil in Venezuela are under sanctions, others transporting the country's oil and crude from Iran and Russia are not. Some companies, particularly the US's Chevron, transport Venezuelan oil in their own authorised ships, as per Al Jazeera.

China is the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude, accounting for about 4 per cent of its imports, with shipments in December on track to average more than 600,000 barrels per day, analysts have said.

For now, the oil market is well supplied, with millions of barrels of oil on tankers off the coast of China awaiting discharge, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Trump's pressure campaign on Maduro has included a ramped-up military presence in the region and more than two dozen military strikes on vessels in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea near Venezuela, which have killed at least 100 people.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Very concerning for global trade stability. India imports a lot of oil, and such actions create uncertainty in the market. We need predictable rules, not unilateral seizures. Hope our diplomats are watching this closely. 🇮🇳
A
Arjun K
The article says China is the biggest buyer. This feels less about terrorism and more about the US trying to cut off resources to its strategic rivals. It's geopolitics disguised as law enforcement. The "consented boarding" detail is interesting though – was there really a choice?
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Sarah B
From an energy security perspective, this is a risky precedent. If a nation can seize vessels in international waters based on its own sanctions, where does it end? Could this logic be applied elsewhere? It makes the seas less safe for commerce.
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Vikram M
The human cost is being ignored. "Killed at least 100 people" in military strikes? That's horrifying. Regime change policies always end up causing immense suffering for ordinary citizens. The world should be focusing on dialogue and humanitarian aid, not escalation.
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Karthik V
While I understand the need to combat illegal funding, the method seems extreme. It sets a dangerous example. What's stopping other countries from doing the same in their regional waters? International law needs to be respected by all, including superpowers.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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