The Venezuelan government has accused the United States of engaging in ‘blatant theft’ following the seizure of an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast. The tanker, according to reports, was subject to existing sanctions.
In a strongly worded statement, the Venezuelan government asserted that it would ‘defend its sovereignty, natural resources, and national dignity with absolute determination.’ It also indicated its intention to denounce the tanker’s seizure before international bodies.
President Trump confirmed the ship’s seizure. The move is already impacting oil prices and escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas.
‘We just seized an oil tanker off Venezuela, a big one, a very big one, the biggest one ever seized,’ Trump stated. He did not provide details regarding the vessel’s ownership or its intended destination, only noting that it was ‘seized for very good reasons.’ He further stated that the United States would retain the tanker’s cargo.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham voiced his support for President Trump’s decision, alleging that the tanker was being used to transport Venezuelan and Iranian oil, both of which are subject to sanctions. He added that it was time to end President Nicolas Maduro’s ‘terrorist’ regime and ‘liberate the Venezuelan people from tyranny.’
Crude oil is Venezuela’s primary export. Sanctions have forced the country to offer its production on the black market, often at significantly reduced prices, particularly to Asian nations. The tanker’s seizure could further disrupt these exports, potentially deterring other entities from purchasing Venezuelan oil for fear of similar consequences.
Experts estimate that Venezuela produces approximately 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day, primarily supplying China. Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have been on the rise, with Trump issuing an executive order that calls for increased military involvement under the guise of ‘combating drug cartels.’ Washington has also announced the deployment of warships and a submarine off the Venezuelan coast, while US officials have stated that the military is ready for operations, including regime change in Venezuela. The U.S. government is intensifying its economic and military actions in an attempt to topple the Maduro administration.
