U.S. Forces Seize Vessel Carrying Venezuelan Oil

(MENAFN) American authorities intercepted and commandeered an oil tanker early Saturday morning after its departure from Venezuelan waters, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed.

Military personnel from the US Coast Guard carried out the pre-dawn operation with assistance from Pentagon forces, Noem announced via the social platform X.

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region," she stated.

"We will find you, and we will stop you," Noem added.

Caracas issued a forceful rebuke, denouncing what officials characterized as the "theft and kidnapping" of the vessel by Washington.

"These acts will not go unpunished," the Venezuelan government declared, vowing to pursue multiple diplomatic channels including formal grievances with the UN Security Council and additional international bodies.

The maritime seizure marks another flashpoint in escalating friction between the two capitals.

President Donald Trump recently announced a "total and complete blockade" targeting prohibited oil vessels conducting operations in or out of Venezuelan territory.

Diplomatic relations deteriorated sharply on December 10 when American military units captured a sanctioned tanker operating near Venezuela's coastline—an incident Caracas condemned as "international piracy."

The Trump administration maintains these enforcement actions target criminal networks and narcotics operations, while Venezuelan authorities allege Washington weaponizes counter-drug initiatives as justification to topple President Maduro and seize the nation's petroleum reserves.

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