The United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking a sharp escalation in Washington’s pressure campaign on Caracas.
President Donald Trump confirmed the operation on Wednesday, calling it “the largest one ever” and noting that “other things are happening,” though he offered few details.
The interdiction was carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard, though they declined to identify the vessel, its flag, or the exact coordinates of the seizure. Maritime intelligence firm Vanguard later reported that the tanker involved was the Skipper, previously sanctioned by Washington for participating in Iranian oil shipments when it operated under the name Adisa.
Satellite data analyzed by TankerTrackers.com indicated the Skipper had recently departed Venezuela’s main oil hub in Jose after loading Merey heavy crude between December 4 and 5.
The seizure marks the first known action against an oil tanker since Trump ordered an expanded U.S. military presence in the region earlier this year, including operations targeting suspected narcotics vessels.
