The United States seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign against the Maduro regime and its oil-dependent economy. The tanker, identified as Triton, was sanctioned by the US for its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. The seizure comes amid increased tensions between the US and Venezuela, with Trump stating that the days of Nicolás Maduro are numbered.
The Trump administration has been waging a months-long military campaign in waters near Venezuela, launching strikes against boats allegedly carrying drugs to the US. The Pentagon has dispatched 11 warships, scores of aircraft, and thousands of personnel to the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean as part of an anti-drug-trafficking mission.
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil strongly denounced the seizure as a “blatant theft” and “act of international piracy.” The move is seen as a major economic blow to Maduro, who has maintained his grip on power despite facing severe economic pressures.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/12/10/venezuela-oil-tanker-seizure