US Seizes Oil Tanker off Venezuelan Coast as Caracas Accuses Washington of ‘International Piracy’

The United States has seized a large oil tanker near the coast of Venezuela, a move President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday and described as the largest vessel ever captured in such an operation. The action marks a significant escalation in Washington’s efforts to pressure the government of Nicolás Maduro.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said the tanker was intercepted as part of a broader push to restrict the flow of sanctioned Venezuelan and Iranian oil. Attorney General Pam Bondi released footage of the operation and described the ship as a crude carrier used to move oil in violation of U.S. sanctions.

The response from Caracas was swift and forceful. Venezuelan officials condemned the seizure as an act of “international piracy,” accusing Washington of overstepping international norms and attempting to strangle the country’s already weakened economy. President Maduro reiterated that Venezuela would never allow itself to become what he called an “oil colony,” insisting that the nation’s natural resources remain under sovereign control.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply in recent months. The Trump administration has accused Venezuela of enabling narcotics trafficking into the United States and has increased diplomatic and economic pressure on Maduro. Venezuela, which holds some of the largest proven oil reserves in the world, argues that U.S. sanctions are designed to destabilize the country and seize control of its resources.

The tanker seizure has also had ripple effects in global markets. Brent crude prices edged higher on Wednesday as the news triggered concerns about short term supply fluctuations. Analysts warn that the move could further disrupt Venezuela’s oil exports, already hampered by sanctions and technical difficulties, and may cause shipping companies to reconsider routes in the region for fear of being targeted.

The incident underscores the heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding Venezuela’s energy sector and raises questions about how far Washington is willing to go in enforcing its sanctions regime. For Caracas, the seizure represents yet another blow in a prolonged economic and political struggle, while for the United States it is framed as a step toward tightening pressure on Maduro’s government.

As both sides trade accusations, the future of Venezuela’s oil exports and regional maritime security remains uncertain. Analysts say more confrontations at sea cannot be ruled out as Washington continues to tighten its enforcement and Caracas seeks ways to keep its energy industry alive under growing international scrutiny.