US Seizes Second Venezuelan Oil Tanker in International Waters

The United States has seized an oil tanker in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, marking the second such seizure this month, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

US authorities said the Panama-flagged tanker, which had recently departed from Venezuela, was intercepted during an operation led by the Coast Guard with support from the Defense Department. The seizure comes shortly after President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” targeting sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela.

Venezuela strongly condemned the action, calling it an act of “theft and kidnapping.” In a statement, the government said such actions would not go unpunished and vowed to raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council and other international forums. Caracas has repeatedly accused Washington of attempting to plunder its natural resources.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem shared a video of the operation on social media platform X, showing a helicopter landing on the deck of the tanker, named Centuries. She said the vessel was seized in the early hours of December 20 and accused it of transporting sanctioned oil that allegedly finances drug-related terrorism in the region.

The tanker is not listed on the US Treasury Department’s sanctions list, though records show it has operated under multiple flags, including Greece and Liberia, over the past five years.

In recent weeks, the US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean. Reports suggest nearly 100 people were killed in operations targeting alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessels, though US authorities have not publicly presented evidence, prompting questions in Congress.

The seizure follows the earlier interception of another tanker, Skipper, which the White House claimed was part of a so-called “ghost fleet” involved in illicit oil transport. Venezuela also denounced that seizure, with President Nicolás Maduro accusing the US of stealing the ship and abducting its crew.

Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves, relies heavily on oil exports to fund government spending.