Archive · 12 Dec 2025
US Sanctions Maduro's Family, Seizes Oil Tanker
The US has taken control of an oil tanker near Venezuela and imposed sanctions on three nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a Panamanian businessman, six firms, and six ships.
The sanctions are meant to pressure Venezuela and prevent US companies and citizens from doing business with the sanctioned entities.
Maduro is upset and says the US is trying to start a war.
Maduro has been accused of serious crimes, and there's a big reward for his capture.
The US has also conducted deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, killing at least 87 people since early September.
The US says these actions are necessary to stop the flow of drugs into the country.
US forces seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast.
US imposed sanctions on three nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a Panamanian businessman, six firms, and six Venezuela-flagged ships.
Sanctions aim to deny access to US property and financial assets and prevent US companies and citizens from doing business with sanctioned entities.
Maduro accuses the US of trying to fabricate a war against him.
US has conducted deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, killing at least 87 people since early September.
- Who
- US Forces, Venezuela (Maduro), Maduro's family, Panamanian businessman Ramon Carretero Napolitano, six firms, six Venezuela-flagged ships
- What
- Seizure of an oil tanker, imposition of sanctions on Maduro's family and associates
- When
- Not specified, but recent
- Where
- Off Venezuela's coast, US
- Why
- To pressure Venezuela, deny access to US property and financial assets, prevent US companies and citizens from doing business with sanctioned entities, stem the flow of drugs into the US
- Location
- Off Venezuela's coast
- Involved Parties
- US Forces, Venezuela (Maduro)
- Legal Status of Maduro
- Charged with narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine in 2020
- Reward for Maduro
- $50 million
- Maduro's Accusation
- US trying to fabricate a war against him
- Sanctioned Individuals
- Franqui Flores, Carlos Flores, Efrain Campo, Ramon Carretero Napolitano
- Sanctioned Ships
- Six Venezuela-flagged ships
- Sanctioned Firms
- Six firms
Sources
WATCH: New Video Shows How US Forces Seized Control Of Oil Tanker Off Venezuela’s Coast
Venezuela’s National Guard committed crimes against humanity over decade, UN report says
US Sanctions Nicolas Maduro's Family, 6 Ships Carrying Venezuela Oil
