The U.S. government has released images showing the seizure of another oil tanker near the coast of Venezuela this past Saturday.
"In a pre-dawn operation on December 20, the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Department of Defense, intercepted a tanker last docked in Venezuela," stated Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on social media platform X.
"The United States will persist in targeting unauthorized oil trafficking used to fund narcoterrorism in the region. We will locate them and halt their operations," she added.
Noem expressed her gratitude to the "brave men and women of the Coast Guard and the Department of Defense."
The tanker seizure was confirmed to Reuters on Saturday by three U.S. officials who spoke anonymously.
This action took place just days after President Donald Trump declared a "total and complete blockade" on "all sanctioned tankers entering and exiting Venezuela."
According to Reuters, this marks the second tanker seizure near Venezuela in recent weeks amid a significant U.S. military presence in the area.
Officials did not disclose the precise location of the operation.
Reuters reported that inquiries to the Coast Guard and the Pentagon were referred to the White House, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The agency also noted that since the initial sanctioned tanker seizure, an "effective embargo" has been in place, with ships carrying millions of barrels of oil remaining in Venezuelan waters to avoid seizure, leading to a substantial decline in Venezuelan crude exports.
In the oil transport context, Reuters explained that while many vessels loading oil in Venezuela are sanctioned, others—including some transporting crude linked to Iran or Russia—are not. Companies such as Chevron are moving Venezuelan oil on their own "authorized" vessels.
The report highlights that China is the largest purchaser of Venezuelan crude, citing analyst estimates of shipment volumes in December.
Reuters also recalled that since the U.S. imposed energy sanctions on Venezuela in 2019, buyers and refiners have turned to a "ghost fleet" of tankers that mask their locations, which are considered vulnerable to potential punitive actions by Washington.
The report concludes by framing the measure as part of Trump's pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro, involving increased military presence and actions against ships near Venezuela. Maduro has claimed that the U.S. deployment aims to overthrow him and seize control of the country's oil resources.
Details of U.S. Actions Against Venezuelan Oil Trafficking
What was the purpose of the U.S. Coast Guard's operation?
The operation aimed to intercept unauthorized oil trafficking used to finance narcoterrorism in the region, as part of the U.S. government's broader strategy against illegal activities linked to Venezuelan oil.
How has the U.S. military presence changed in the region?
There has been a significant concentration of U.S. military forces in the region, particularly following actions against sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, as part of efforts to pressure the Maduro regime.
How are other countries involved in Venezuelan oil trade?
Countries like China are major buyers of Venezuelan oil, and some vessels not under sanctions continue to transport crude, including those connected to Iran and Russia. Companies such as Chevron also move oil using authorized means.