Archive · 13 Dec 2025
US Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tanker, Escalates Sanctions
The United States seized a big oil tanker called the Skipper from Venezuela.
The tanker had 2 million barrels of oil and was part of a network that the US says was breaking rules.
The US is taking the tanker and its oil to an American port.
Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, is very upset and called the seizure 'naval piracy.'
He said the US kidnapped the crew and stole the ship.
The US says they did this to stop bad people from using the oil money for bad things.
The US also put sanctions on six more ships and some people related to Maduro.
Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, supports Maduro but can't do much to help.
The US has a big aircraft carrier and many troops near Venezuela, which makes the situation very tense.
The US seized the Venezuelan oil tanker Skipper in international waters near Venezuela, carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil.
The US imposed new sanctions on six ships and relatives of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing them of illicit oil shipping.
US forces rappelled onto the tanker and took control of it without incident, planning to take the tanker and its oil to an American port.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the seizure, calling it 'naval piracy' and an 'act of international piracy,' and accused the US of kidnapping the crew.
The US is preparing to intercept more sanctioned tankers, with a target list of several more vessels, as part of a broader strategy to disrupt alleged drug trafficking and enforce sanctions.
- Who
- US forces, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Russian President Vladimir Putin
- What
- Seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker Skipper and imposition of new sanctions
- When
- Wednesday, December 11, 2025
- Where
- International waters near Venezuela
- Why
- Alleged involvement in illicit oil shipping and violation of US sanctions
- Tanker Name
- Skipper (formerly Adisa)
- Location of Seizure
- International waters near Venezuela
- Oil Cargo
- 2 million barrels of crude oil
- Sanctions Involved
- US sanctions on Venezuela and Iran
- US Officials Involved
- FBI, Homeland Security, Coast Guard, Department of War
- Venezuelan Response
- Condemned as 'act of international piracy'
- Russian Support
- Vladimir Putin offered verbal support to Maduro
- Additional Sanctions
- Six ships and relatives of Maduro sanctioned
- US Military Presence
- USS Gerald Ford deployed near Venezuelan waters
- Potential Future Seizures
- US preparing to intercept more sanctioned tankers
Sources
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‘Spoof’ ship? Venezuelan oil tanker ‘repeatedly hid its actual location’ -- US reveals real reason for seizing Skipper
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