US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced, signaling a major escalation in Washington's campaign against Nicolás Maduro's government.
In a statement from the White House, Trump described the seized vessel as the largest tanker ever seized, presenting a video of the operation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled the tanker as a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. In response, the Venezuelan government condemned the seizure, accusing the US of committing international piracy and asserting that it would never turn into an oil colony.
The Trump administration has accused Venezuela of narcotics trafficking and has increased pressure on Maduro's regime in recent months. Venezuelan officials argue that the US is attempting to appropriate their country's oil reserves, which they deem a violation of sovereignty.
Following the seizure, oil prices saw a slight increase due to concerns about short-term supply disruptions. Bondi clarified that multiple US agencies coordinated the capture of the vessel, which was previously sanctioned for facilitating an illicit oil shipping network.
Beyond the immediate implications for Venezuela's oil exports, the military seizure occurred amid increased US military presence in the Caribbean, sparking speculation about further military actions against the Maduro regime.
The Venezuelan government has accused the US of being high-seas criminals, with Maduro delivering a peace message simultaneously while lamenting the seizure of their resources.
As tensions escalate, the US has conducted a series of strikes in the region aimed at combating drug trafficking, which has resulted in significant casualties.
