US forces seize a crude tanker as Maduro condemns Washington for what he calls international piracy
The United States has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in a move that dramatically intensifies Washington’s pressure campaign on Nicolás Maduro. President Donald Trump announced the operation during a briefing at the White House, telling reporters that US forces had intercepted what he described as the largest tanker ever seized by the country.
Footage of the moment the vessel was taken into custody was released shortly afterwards. The United States attorney general, Pam Bondi, said the ship had been used to transport sanctioned crude oil linked to both Venezuela and Iran. Her remarks underlined Washington’s continuing effort to clamp down on the trading networks that sustain the Maduro government at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.
Venezuelan officials reacted with immediate fury. Caracas condemned the seizure and branded it an act of international piracy. The accusation marks the latest flashpoint in a bitter stand off that has seen both sides trade accusations of economic aggression and political interference. Only hours earlier, President Maduro had insisted that Venezuela would never become an oil colony and accused the United States of seeking to dominate the nation’s resources.
The Trump administration has long maintained that Venezuela funnels narcotics into American territory and has intensified sanctions and diplomatic isolation efforts throughout recent months. Officials in Washington argue that Maduro’s government relies heavily on illicit activity and on revenue from sanctioned oil shipments. By targeting the movement of crude, they hope to squeeze the government’s finances further.
Venezuela, which possesses some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has responded by insisting that the United States is attempting to seize or disable its economic assets. The government in Caracas claims the pressure campaign is intended to strip the country of sovereignty and destabilise its energy industry. The latest incident is likely to deepen mistrust and harden positions on both sides.
The seizure of a vessel transporting crude is also reverberating through global energy markets. Brent crude prices rose slightly on Wednesday as traders responded to the news. Analysts say the incident is likely to spark concerns about short term supply disruption, particularly if shippers begin to fear that more tankers operating near Venezuelan waters could be intercepted. They warn that further seizures could create considerable uncertainty for companies already navigating a complex sanctions environment.
Industry experts note that Venezuela’s ability to export oil has been repeatedly hampered by sanctions, equipment shortages and political turmoil. Any new threat to shipping could choke routes even further and complicate attempts by the government to keep crude flowing to international buyers. Much will depend on how Washington follows up this latest confrontation and whether it signals the start of a broader series of maritime operations in the region.
Diplomats watching the situation say the timing of the announcement makes it especially sensitive. The relationship between Washington and Caracas had already deteriorated significantly. With both leaderships standing firm, there appears little prospect of immediate de escalation. The public exchange of accusations, coupled with the dramatic footage released by the United States, has cemented the impression that the conflict over Venezuela’s resources is entering a more volatile phase.
As markets, shippers and regional governments monitor the fallout, it remains unclear whether the tanker seizure will prompt retaliation from Venezuela or trigger additional enforcement actions by the United States. What is clear is that the move has injected a fresh surge of tension into an already strained relationship and will have consequences for both global energy flows and regional stability in the weeks ahead.