US Seizes Second Ship Near Venezuela as Pressure on Maduro Intensifies

The United States intercepted and took control of another vessel off Venezuela’s coast on Saturday, according to a US official, marking the second such operation this month as the Trump administration increases pressure on the government in Caracas.

The seizure follows President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a “blockade” aimed at sanctioned oil tankers operating in and out of Venezuela. Earlier this month, US authorities confiscated the oil tanker Skipper, which was sanctioned for its links to Iran.

Unlike that case, the tanker seized on Saturday was not under US sanctions, the official said, and the crew did not resist the operation. The ship was sailing under a Panamanian flag, carrying Venezuelan crude oil, and was reportedly headed for Asia.

The operation took place in international waters and was led by the US Coast Guard with support from the US military. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared a video on social media showing a helicopter hovering above the vessel, describing the action as a “predawn” operation. She said the ship had last docked in Venezuela and accused it of being involved in illicit oil transport.

“The United States will continue targeting illegal oil movements that fund narco-terrorism in the region,” Noem said.

Venezuela reacted sharply. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil announced that Iran had offered assistance in response to what he called US “acts of piracy” and “international terrorism.” Gil said he spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional developments and what he described as the seizure of ships carrying Venezuelan oil. According to Gil, Tehran expressed full solidarity with Caracas and pledged cooperation in multiple areas, accusing the US of violating international law.

The latest vessel seizure adds to mounting economic pressure on Venezuela, whose oil industry has already been strained by expanded sanctions earlier this year. Trump has also warned of potential land-based strikes, further escalating tensions.

The pressure campaign has included deploying thousands of US troops and a carrier strike group to the Caribbean, conducting strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, and issuing repeated threats against President Nicolás Maduro. The US military says it has destroyed dozens of alleged drug vessels, killing more than 100 people, actions the administration says are aimed at stopping drug trafficking and migrant flows. Critics, however, view the moves as part of a broader effort to force Maduro from power.

Trump’s focus on Venezuela’s oil has been central to the strategy. He has said the US should gain access to the country’s energy resources if Maduro is removed. Venezuela’s oil industry is controlled by state-owned PDVSA, while Chevron remains the only US company operating there under a limited sanctions exemption.

Despite holding the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela produces far below capacity due to sanctions, with much of its crude exported to China.

Caracas condemned the announced blockade earlier this week, calling it dangerous and irresponsible. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said Saturday that Venezuela “strongly rejects the theft and hijacking of another private vessel transporting Venezuelan oil” and vowed to raise the issue at the United Nations and other international bodies.