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The United States has seized another oil tanker near Venezuela, intensifying its maritime blockade against the Maduro government.
Some shit you should know before you dig in: Roughly two weeks ago, President Trump announced a maritime blockade targeting sanctioned oil tankers carrying Venezuelan crude. Trump vowed that the United States would intercept vessels entering or leaving Venezuela if they were suspected of transporting oil in violation of US sanctions. The blockade, described by US officials as “total and complete,” is intended to choke off critical revenue streams for Nicolás Maduro’s government, which relies heavily on oil exports to sustain its finances. US authorities have stated they will specifically target tankers believed to be part of a “shadow fleet” that disguises ship identities and locations to evade sanctions.
What’s going on now: In a notable development, US forces on Saturday seized a second oil tanker, the M/T Centuries, in international waters in the southern Caribbean Sea shortly after it departed Venezuela. The operation was led by the US Coast Guard with support from the Department of Defense and involved a helicopter carrying a specialized tactical boarding team. US officials said the tanker was suspected of carrying Venezuelan oil subject to American sanctions and accused it of operating as part of a covert network used to move crude abroad.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the seizure was aimed at stopping sanctioned oil from funding criminal activity, writing, “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 Centuries, which was sailing under a Panamanian flag at the time of its interception, has previously operated under other national flags.
Venezuela’s pissed: In response to the seizure, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government “denounces and rejects the theft and hijacking of a new private vessel transporting oil, as well as the forced disappearance of its crew, committed by military personnel of the United States of America.” She added that “these acts will not go unpunished,” vowing that Venezuela would pursue “all corresponding actions, including filing a complaint before the United Nations Security Council, other multilateral organizations, and the governments of the world.”
The Venezuelan government labeled the seizure “a serious act of international piracy,” accusing the United States of attempting to intimidate shipping companies and effectively impose an undeclared embargo through force.
