U.S. Seizes Second Oil Tanker Near Venezuela Amid Escalating Tensions

The United States has seized a second oil tanker in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, marking an escalation in its enforcement of sanctions against the country's oil exports. This action follows President Donald Trump's recent announcement of a "total and complete blockade" on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.

The operation was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard with support from the Department of Defense. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared a video of the seizure, stating,

"In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela. The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region. We will find you, and we will stop you. Thank you to our brave men and women of the @USCG and @DeptofWar."

Venezuela's government condemned the seizure, describing it as "theft and kidnapping," and announced plans to bring the matter before the United Nations Security Council and other international bodies.

This incident is part of a broader U.S. military buildup in Latin America aimed at increasing pressure on President Nicolás Maduro's administration. The U.S. has previously seized oil tankers near Venezuela, indicating a sustained campaign to enforce sanctions and disrupt the country's oil trade.