Venezuela Condemns U.S. Seizure of Oil Tanker as ‘International Piracy’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Venezuela sharply condemned the United States on Wednesday after American authorities seized a massive oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, labeling the action an act of “international piracy” and “blatant theft.” The Venezuelan government, through an official communiqué published by the state-run Correo del Orinoco, accused the U.S. of assaulting its sovereignty and natural resources in what it described as a broader campaign against the country.
The seizure was carried out by a joint operation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of Defense. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the operation, stating that the tanker had been under U.S. sanctions for years due to its role in transporting crude oil from Venezuela and Iran, allegedly supporting illicit oil shipping networks linked to foreign terrorist organizations.
“This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely—and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues,” Bondi said via social media. She released unclassified video footage showing tactical personnel rappelling from a helicopter onto the tanker’s deck, securing the vessel with guns drawn.
President Donald Trump announced the seizure during a White House roundtable with business leaders, describing the tanker as “very large, largest one ever seized actually.” When asked about the fate of the oil aboard the vessel, Trump responded, “Well, we keep it, I guess,” later clarifying, “I assume we’re going to keep the oil.”
The operation reflects an intensification of U.S. efforts to enforce sanctions and disrupt Venezuela’s oil exports amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The U.S. has maintained sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry for years, aiming to pressure the government of Nicolás Maduro, whom Washington does not recognize as the legitimate leader.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s involvement in maritime interdictions is part of broader efforts to counter illicit shipping and trafficking networks in the Caribbean. According to data from the U.S. Coast Guard, these operations are critical to enforcing sanctions and protecting national security interests.
Venezuela’s denunciation of the seizure as “international piracy” underscores the diplomatic strain between the two countries. The Venezuelan government framed the U.S. action as a violation of international law and an assault on its sovereignty, a charge that is likely to further complicate relations.
The incident also comes amid heightened U.S. military presence in the Caribbean region, as Washington seeks to curb drug trafficking and illicit activities linked to Venezuela. The Pentagon’s increased deployments near Venezuelan waters have been part of a broader strategy to pressure the Maduro regime and disrupt networks supporting terrorism and narcotics.
For further details on the U.S. sanctions and enforcement policies, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) provides comprehensive information on sanctioned entities and vessels.
As the situation unfolds, the seizure of the tanker is expected to heighten tensions between Washington and Caracas, with potential implications for regional stability and international maritime law.
in my opinion, this act by America is wrong and a blatant violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty