The United States seized a Venezuelan oil tanker named Skipper, marking the first such action under current sanctions. Authorities plan to take the vessel to an American port and legally confiscate its crude oil cargo. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the seizure targets “sanctioned vessels sailing with black market oil” fueling illicit activities.
The action temporarily halted shipments totaling nearly six million barrels of Venezuela’s flagship export grade, Merey. Traders reported tankers bound for Asia were put on hold. The seizure disrupts Maduro’s crude exports and increases pressure on his government amid ongoing sanctions enforcement.
U.S. officials have prepared a target list for additional sanctioned tankers for possible interception. These vessels transport oil from Venezuela, Iran, and Russia as part of a shadow fleet. Treasury sanctions recently targeted six supertankers and four Venezuelan nationals, including relatives of President Maduro’s wife.
Caracas condemned the action as “international piracy,” with President Nicolás Maduro accusing the U.S. of attempting to seize Venezuelan oil resources. He vowed Venezuela would never become an “oil colony.” Experts argued the seizure does not constitute piracy under international law.
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Maritime law specialist Laurence Atkin-Teillet explained that Caracas’ piracy claim is rhetorical, emphasizing the operation was legally sanctioned by the U.S. government. The seizure aligns with broader efforts to enforce sanctions.
The U.S. has recently conducted over 20 strikes against vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, killing more than 80 people. The measures form part of a larger military and sanctions effort in the southern Caribbean region.
Shipowners and operators are reconsidering voyages from Venezuelan waters due to the shadow fleet’s opaque ownership and lack of insurance. Leavitt stressed that the U.S. remains committed to enforcing sanctions while preventing illegal narcotics shipments and curbing rogue regimes.