US forces have taken control of an oil tanker near Venezuela’s coast, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations. President Donald Trump confirmed this development during a White House meeting. The seizure follows Trump’s recent warning of potential military action within Venezuela as part of the US’s intensified anti-drug efforts in Latin America.
According to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the oil tanker, previously known as the M/T Adisa and now identified as the Skipper, had been under US sanctions for its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network that supported foreign terrorist organizations. The vessel was reportedly part of a group of shadow tankers that smuggled crude oil on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group.
The US official, speaking anonymously, disclosed that the Skipper departed from Venezuela with approximately 2 million barrels of heavy crude oil, with around half of it linked to a Cuban state-run oil importer. Venezuela’s government denounced the seizure as an act of international piracy and accused the US of coveting its natural resources, particularly oil.
In response to the operation, President Trump issued a warning to Colombia and its president, Gustavo Petro, suggesting they could be the next targets. Trump alleged Colombian involvement in cocaine production, a claim Petro vehemently denied. The interception of the oil tanker signifies a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Trump and Maduro, with oil shipments being a vital revenue source for the Venezuelan government.
Trump hinted at further actions, stating, “Other things are happening,” while emphasizing the seizure was justified without elaborating on specifics. Maduro’s administration has portrayed the US actions as attempts to seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, which account for a substantial portion of global supply. This recent event underscores the heightened pressure exerted by the Trump administration on Maduro’s government.