URGENT UPDATE: US forces have just seized a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, escalating pressure on President Nicolas Maduro as part of a renewed strategy from the Trump administration. The operation, executed in the pre-dawn hours today, follows the recent announcement by President Donald Trump of a “blockade” targeting all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving the country.
The US Coast Guard, in coordination with the Department of Defense, intercepted the tanker named Centuries, which was last docked in Venezuela. This latest action comes only days after the December 10 seizure of another vessel, intensifying US efforts against what officials describe as the illicit movement of oil that funds narco-terrorism in the region.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the operation, sharing an unclassified video on social media showing a US helicopter landing personnel on the Centuries. “The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil,” Noem stated on X, adding, “We will find you, and we will stop you.”
The operation was characterized as a “consented boarding,” with US forces reportedly boarding the vessel after it voluntarily stopped. However, it remains unclear if the Centuries was specifically under US sanctions at the time of the seizure.
This aggressive stance by the US government reflects an escalation in rhetoric and actions against Maduro, as Trump has vowed to impose a blockade and has indicated that the Venezuelan leader’s days are numbered. Following the initial tanker seizure, which involved a vessel named the Skipper, Trump reiterated his commitment to combat Venezuela’s oil exports, linking them directly to destabilizing activities in the region.
As tensions rise, the international community watches closely to see how these developments will unfold and what further actions the US may take against Venezuela. This ongoing situation remains fluid, and updates are expected as officials continue to monitor the movements of sanctioned vessels.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
