Second tanker seized near Venezuela as U.S. enforces oil blockade

A second oil tanker linked to sanctions on Venezuela was seized early Saturday off the country’s Caribbean coast, the latest enforcement action as Washington tightens its oil embargo. The operation involved a U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Special Response Team with support from the U.S. Navy, a U.S. official confirmed to Fox News. The seizure occurred in the pre-dawn hours on Dec. 20 and exemplifies the ongoing effort to block the movement of sanctioned oil that authorities say funds illicit activity in the region.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the operation on X, saying, “In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela.” Noem added that the United States will “continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region,” and praised the Coast Guard and the Department of War for carrying out the interdiction.

The latest seizure follows President Donald Trump’s public pledge of a total and complete blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The first tanker seized this week was reported Wednesday; Justice Department footage released later showed agents rappelling onto the vessel with weapons drawn as part of the interdiction. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X that the tanker had been sanctioned “for multiple years” due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network that supports foreign terrorist organizations, and noted that the operation was conducted safely with ongoing investigations by the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil.

Ensuring compliance with the sanctions has drawn attention to Venezuela’s role in global oil markets. China remains a major user of Venezuelan crude, Reuters has reported, highlighting the international dimension of the oil shipments under scrutiny. The seizure marked a rare enforcement action against Venezuelan oil tankers by U.S. authorities, a milestone not seen since 2014 under President Barack Obama, when the United States last seized such assets.

Officials have tied the ongoing efforts to a broader push to disrupt illicit oil networks that fund illicit armed groups and terrorism in the region. In remarks to Fox News, government sources emphasized that the interdictions are part of a broader strategy to enforce sanctions and reduce the maritime movement of sanctioned crude. A Pentagon spokesperson directed questions to the White House, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Separately, the U.S. Navy confirmed that roughly one-sixth to one-seventh of its deployed ships have been operating in the Caribbean region in recent days, underscoring the attention the region has received as sanctions enforcement continues.

The history of U.S. sanctions actions against Venezuelan oil shipments includes a 2014 precedent, when the Obama administration conducted similar seizures amid concerns about the country’s oil exports financing illicit networks. Analysts say the current action reinforces a multilayered approach that combines law enforcement and maritime interdiction with diplomacy and adherence to sanctions policy. The ongoing investigations are expected to continue for some time as authorities identify the vessels, their owners, and the networks involved in moving sanctioned crude.

As authorities pursue further seizures, questions remain about the impact on Venezuela’s oil output and the global markets that depend on its crude. Officials caution that enforcement actions may take time to influence supply chains and price dynamics, particularly if sanctioned shipments shift routes or partners. The White House has not publicly elaborated on additional steps, but officials reiterate the objective: to prevent the sanctioned oil from funding illicit activity while maintaining broader regional stability. The operation underscores the ongoing international dimension of Venezuela’s oil sector and the U.S. willingness to use maritime interdiction to enforce its policies.