The United States has seized a maritime vessel carrying millions of barrels of crude oil off the coast of Venezuela. According to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the tanker—en route from Venezuela to Cuba—was intercepted on Wednesday by the FBI, Homeland Security, and the Coast Guard with support from the U.S. military.
She also released footage showing the operation. In the video, armed personnel are seen rappelling onto the tanker from two helicopters. President Donald Trump said the seized vessel was under sanctions and that the operation resulted in the largest-ever confiscation of crude oil.
“We will keep that oil,” he told reporters on Wednesday. The ship, named Skipper, was previously known as Adisa. It had been sanctioned for allegedly being involved in Iranian oil transactions. Satellite data shows the vessel loaded approximately 1.1 million barrels of crude oil at José Port between December 4 and 5.
Following the public release of the news, Brent crude rose by 0.4 percent, reaching USD 62.21 per barrel, according to Reuters. Venezuela, however, has accused the United States of openly committing theft. “The United States has blatantly stolen from us. We will take this matter to international bodies,” the Venezuelan government said.
Venezuela has described the seizure of the tanker as a violation of its sovereign rights and national independence. President Nicolás Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of using military activity to remove him from power and seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Since September, the Trump administration has been conducting military operations against vessels accused of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea. The administration faced sharp criticism recently after a video surfaced showing two survivors of one operation being killed during a second strike.
