US seizes second oil tanker off Venezuela's coast

December 21, 2025

The United States has conducted its second seizure this month of an oil tanker near Venezuela, with the Coast Guard boarding the Panamanian-flagged vessel Centuries in international waters. This action follows President Trump's announcement of a blockade targeting sanctioned oil vessels traveling to and from Venezuela, which he claims finances terrorism and criminal activities. Venezuela has strongly condemned these seizures as theft and kidnapping, threatening to file complaints with the UN Security Council and international bodies.

Who is affected

The crew of the seized tanker "Centuries"
Venezuelan government and President Nicolás Maduro
The US Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security
Approximately 100 people killed in recent US strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats
US Congress (conducting scrutiny of military operations)
Venezuela's population (dependent on oil export revenues for government services)

What action is being taken

The US Coast Guard is seizing oil tankers departing from Venezuela
The US is conducting maritime interdiction operations in the Caribbean Sea
The US military is building up its presence in the Caribbean Sea
Venezuela is filing complaints with the UN Security Council and other multilateral agencies
Congress is scrutinizing the military strikes

Why it matters

This matters because it represents a significant escalation in US-Venezuela tensions, with the United States implementing what amounts to a naval blockade against a sovereign nation. Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves and depends heavily on oil export revenues to finance government operations, meaning these seizures directly threaten the country's economic stability. The operations raise serious international law questions about seizing vessels in international waters and have resulted in significant loss of life, yet lack publicly available evidence to justify the military actions, creating accountability concerns both domestically and internationally.

What's next

Venezuela intends to file complaints with the UN Security Council and other multilateral agencies
The US will continue conducting maritime interdiction operations to dismantle alleged criminal networks
Venezuela warns that "these acts will not go unpunished"

Read full article from source: BBC