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US seizes second vessel near Venezuela as Trump administration ramps up pressure on Caracas
The US Coast Guard's second tanker seizure off Venezuela aims to enforce sanctions and blockade, reducing Venezuelan crude exports significantly, officials said.
- Reuters first reported that on Dec. 20, 2025, the United States Coast Guard is seizing a second sanctioned vessel off Venezuela in international waters.
- Following last week's seizure of The Skipper, an elite U.S. Coast Guard tactical operations team, President Donald Trump announced a blockade on Dec. 16 of all sanctioned oil tankers.
- U.S. military helicopters are dropping off Coast Guard personnel and observing operations overhead, while anonymous U.S. officials said the Coast Guard is leading the interdiction and declined to disclose the location.
- Loaded vessels have remained in Venezuelan waters, sharply reducing Venezuelan crude exports, and analysts warn the embargo could push oil prices higher.
- Observers say the moves form part of a wider pressure campaign on Venezuela's oil, with a shadow fleet disguising trades since 2019 while China remains a major buyer at roughly 4%.
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US seizes another oil tanker in the Caribbean
The U.S. Coast Guard seized a second Venezuela-linked oil tanker early Saturday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced in a post on X, as the administration continues to pressure the South American country over drug trafficking. “The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region,” Noem wrote. “We will find you, and we will stop you.” The seizure marks t…
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Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem JournalForces stop 2nd tanker
VENEZUELA
·Cherokee County, United States
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The Secretary for Homeland Security: "We will find you and stop you." The Cuban Communist Party: "Test the total disregard of the United States for sovereignty"
·Italy
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After a new seizure of the tanker off the coast of Venezuela.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources331
Leaning Left51Leaning Right47Center62Last UpdatedBias Distribution39% Center
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources are Center
39% Center
L 32%
C 39%
R 29%
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