High Seas Tension: U.S. Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tanker

The U.S. government seized the M/T Skipper, a Venezuelan oil tanker, off Venezuela's coast as per a judge's warrant. The Trump administration aims to restrict sanctioned oil transport from Venezuela and Iran. The seizure has increased tensions with Caracas amidst unsealed documents and potential future ship interceptions.

The U.S. government's strategic move to seize the M/T Skipper off Venezuela's coast occurred just before the expiry of a judge-signed warrant, revealed in unsealed documents on Friday.

Authorized by U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, the warrant allowed the Trump administration to seize the vessel by December 10, 2025. This marked the beginning of U.S. seizures of Venezuelan oil cargos under sanctions effective since 2019. The Skipper had recently shipped 1.8 million barrels of Merey heavy crude from Venezuela's Jose port.

FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that this seizure underscores efforts to hold Venezuela and Iran accountable for transporting sanctioned oil. Though the warrant was unsealed, related affidavits remain redacted, with further U.S. actions anticipated. The Venezuelan government's outcry reflects escalating tensions, compounded by the Trump administration's military posturing in the Caribbean.