The U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of War apprehended a vessel in international waters off the coast of Venezuela on Saturday, marking the second such interdiction since President Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned tankers. The pre-dawn operation on December 20 follows an earlier seizure of an oil tanker linked to Iranian smuggling networks.
Why It Matters
The seizures signal an aggressive expansion of the U.S. pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. By intercepting vessels in international waters, the administration aims to disrupt oil revenue streams that the U.S. Department of the Treasury alleges fund regional narco-terrorism and foreign military proxies.
What To Know
On the morning of December 20, 2025, U.S. authorities conducted a tactical “right-of-visit” boarding of a vessel that had recently docked in Venezuela. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, confirmed the action via social media, releasing footage showing helicopters surrounding the ship. The operation involved multiple federal entities, including the U.S. Navy, as part of a broader military buildup in Latin America.
The legal predicate for these actions stems from recent executive directives targeting the Venezuelan energy sector. While a previous seizure involved a 20-year-old tanker sanctioned for smuggling, the specific classification and cargo of this second vessel have not been publicly confirmed by authorities.
Current official statements and provided video footage do not establish the exact nature of the vessel’s cargo or confirm if it was carrying sanctioned goods at the time of seizure. The Maduro government has characterized these maritime actions as “piracy” and “robbery,” alleging they violate international maritime law.
What People Are Saying
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, said: “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.”
[The Government of Venezuela]([source not available]), in a statement, called the blockade a: “grotesque threat” and a violation of international law, accusing the U.S. of seeking to “appropriate the oil, land and minerals of the country.”
[Donald Trump, President of the United States]([source not available]), called for a: “total and complete blockade” on all sanctioned oil tankers that enter or depart Venezuela.
What Happens Next
The U.S. military is expected to maintain its heightened presence in the region to enforce the blockade. Further details regarding the seized vessel’s registration and cargo are anticipated in forthcoming filings from the U.S. Coast Guard or the Department of War.
