U.S. Coast Guard Seizes Two Oil Tankers Off Venezuela

The U.S. Coast Guard seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in a pre-dawn operation on December 20, 2025, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This tanker had last made port in Venezuela, marking the second vessel interdicted by U.S. forces in recent weeks amid heightened military activity in Latin America.

The operation was supported by the Department of Defense and involved U.S. Navy helicopters. Noem emphasized the U.S. commitment to combating the illicit movement of sanctioned oil, asserting that it funds narco-terrorism in the region.

This seizure follows a similar operation on December 10, where the Coast Guard apprehended the Skipper, which was on a sanctions list for its role in illicit oil operations. Notably, the tanker seized on December 20 was not on any sanctions list maintained by the U.S. or international bodies, complicating the narrative surrounding these actions.

The Venezuelan government condemned the U.S. actions as theft and vowed to pursue international legal channels, including a complaint to the United Nations Security Council. President Trump had recently announced a 'total and complete blockade' on all sanctioned oil tankers associated with Venezuela, thereby escalating tensions between the U.S. and the Maduro regime.

The Venezuelan government labeled the seizure as robbery and piracy, accusing the Trump administration of attempting to appropriate its oil resources through deceitful tactics. As these events unfold, they reflect the broader geopolitical dynamics and the U.S. military's increasing presence in Latin America, particularly in relation to Venezuelan oil trafficking and regional stability.