US forces stopped an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela early on Saturday, marking the second such operation in less than two weeks, as US President Donald Trump continues to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The move follows Trump’s recent announcement of a “blockade” targeting oil tankers travelling to and from Venezuela that are under US sanctions. Earlier this month, US forces seized another tanker near the Venezuelan coast.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the US Coast Guard, with support from the Defence Department, boarded a tanker that had recently docked in Venezuela. She shared a video online showing US personnel boarding the vessel, identified as Centuries.
A US official said the boarding was carried out with the vessel’s consent. It was not immediately clear whether the tanker was under US sanctions. The Pentagon and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.
US position
Posting on social media, Noem said the United States would continue to act against sanctioned oil shipments.
Story continues below this ad
“The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil,” she wrote. “We will find you, and we will stop you,”.
In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela.
The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund… pic.twitter.com/nSZ4mi6axc
It added that the incident involved the “forced disappearance of its crew” and was carried out by US military personnel in international waters.
Caracas said it would take the issue to the United Nations Security Council and other international bodies. Wider context
Trump has increased US military activity in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, saying it is aimed at stopping drug trafficking. His administration has also warned that further action against Venezuela could follow.
Story continues below this ad
Maduro, who faces US charges related to narcotics trafficking, has said Washington’s real goal is to remove him from power.
Share
The crude oil tanker Skipper recently seized by the U.S. off the coast of Venezuela, seen as the ship was traveling in a southwesterly direction and positioned approximately 33 kilometers north of Guadeloupe, in the southern Caribbean Sea, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (©2025 Vantor via AP) 
