The United States has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the vessel was part of an “illicit oil‑shipping network” that moved sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. The tanker, which was heading for Cuba, was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard during a significant naval build‑up in the Caribbean.
Caracas condemned the seizure as “blatant theft” and an act of “international piracy.” Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro claims the U.S. naval presence is intended to force regime change and to seize Venezuela’s oil reserves. He also alleges that the United States is bent on overthrowing his government, a charge echoed by his administration’s accusations that the July 2024 election was stolen.
The incident comes amid a broader U.S. campaign against what it describes as a “Cartel of the Suns,” a narco‑terrorist organization allegedly led by Maduro. In recent weeks, U.S. forces have struck alleged drug boats in the region, killing at least 87 people, and have deployed warships and the world’s largest aircraft carrier to combat drug trafficking.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is set to address the world from Oslo after emerging from hiding. Machado has not been seen publicly for months due to threats against her life. Trump warned Caracas that arresting Machado would not be welcomed.
Maduro has responded by expanding the military, swearing in 5,600 new soldiers after calling for increased recruitment. The United States continues to press Maduro, asserting that his hold on power is illegitimate. The seizure of the oil tanker marks the latest flashpoint in a long‑standing U.S.–Venezuela dispute, and the international community is watching closely for signs of further escalation.
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