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Venezuela accuses US of 'blatant theft' after tanker seized in Caribbean
The U.S. seized the largest sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker to disrupt illicit shipments and cut revenue to Maduro amid a mounting military buildup in the Caribbean.
- On December 10, 2025, U.S. forces seized and boarded the VLCC Skipper off Venezuela, targeting the tanker for allegedly transporting Venezuelan oil to Iran.
- The Trump administration is preparing to seize additional tankers, targeting a shadow fleet that moves sanctioned oil to China, while the U.S. Treasury Department sanctions update added over a dozen entities Thursday.
- U.S. Justice Department and U.S. Department of Homeland Security planned seizures for months while U.S. forces increased surveillance of tankers near Venezuela and Guyana, prompting suspension of three voyages carrying almost 6 million barrels of Merey crude.
- Venezuelan government officials denounced the action as theft, but Laurence Atkin-Teillet said, `Because the capture was endorsed and sanctioned by the U.S., it cannot be considered piracy`; reduced oil exports would strain Maduro's finances and make ports reluctant to receive vessels.
- Markets for now are focused on Ukraine peace talks; Venezuela exports about 749,000 barrels per day this year, with Brent crude at $61.11 and U.S. crude at $57.42.
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The US Coast Guard is scrambling for new personnel right now, putting out an urgent call to beef up teams responsible for inspecting and repairing oil tankers seized at sea. This massive operational ramp-up is a direct result of President Trump’s aggressive new policy targeting Venezuelan oil exports, and it looks like the seizures will continue for the foreseeable future. The Coast Guard recently issued a request for more inspectors to travel o…
White House addresses Venezuela operations after U.S. seizure of oil tankers
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the crew of a merchant vessel seized earlier Wednesday would be “brought to the United States for such prosecution if necessary,” citing the presence of a “judicial seizure order” in place.
·Washington, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources228
Leaning Left45Leaning Right39Center39Last UpdatedBias Distribution36% Left
Bias Distribution
- 36% of the sources lean Left
36% Left
L 36%
C 32%
R 32%
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