The United States has seized a second oil tanker linked to Venezuela off the country’s coast, prompting sharp condemnation from Caracas, which accused Washington of “theft and hijacking” and said it would file a formal complaint at the United Nations. The incident marks a further escalation in tensions surrounding sanctions enforcement and maritime energy shipments in the Caribbean.
Second seizure heightens diplomatic strain
US authorities confirmed the interception of the tanker as part of ongoing efforts to enforce sanctions targeting Venezuela’s oil trade. While Washington has framed the action as a lawful measure against sanctions evasion, Venezuelan officials rejected the justification outright, calling the seizure an act of piracy and a violation of international law.
The move follows a previous tanker seizure earlier this year, intensifying a standoff that has already strained relations between the two countries.
Caracas denounces ‘theft and hijacking’
Venezuela’s government issued a strongly worded statement condemning the operation and accusing the United States of unlawfully appropriating sovereign assets. Officials said the tanker was operating legally and argued that unilateral sanctions cannot legitimise the seizure of foreign vessels on the high seas.
Caracas announced it would take the matter to the United Nations, seeking international scrutiny of what it described as repeated violations of maritime norms.
Sanctions enforcement and energy flows
The US has long used sanctions to restrict Venezuela’s oil exports, citing concerns over democratic governance and human rights. Enforcement has increasingly focused on shipping networks accused of disguising cargo origins or routing oil through intermediaries to bypass restrictions.
Analysts note that tanker seizures, while legally complex, are intended to deter such practices. However, they also risk disrupting regional energy flows and heightening geopolitical friction at a time of tight global oil markets.
Legal and geopolitical implications
Maritime law experts say disputes over tanker seizures often hinge on jurisdiction, ownership, and the application of domestic sanctions beyond national waters. Venezuela’s decision to pursue a UN complaint signals an attempt to internationalise the issue and rally diplomatic support, even as similar past efforts have yielded limited practical outcomes.
The episode also highlights broader tensions between sanctions-based foreign policy tools and international legal frameworks governing freedom of navigation.
Market and regional impact
Oil traders and regional governments are watching developments closely. While the seized volumes are unlikely to materially affect global supply, repeated interventions increase risk premiums for vessels operating near sanctioned states. For Venezuela, already constrained by years of sanctions, each disruption further complicates efforts to stabilise export revenues.
An unresolved standoff
With Washington showing no sign of easing enforcement and Caracas vowing to challenge the seizures through international channels, the dispute appears set to continue. The latest incident underscores how maritime enforcement has become a frontline in the long-running confrontation between the United States and Venezuela, with legal, diplomatic, and economic consequences extending well beyond the seized tanker itself.
Newshub Editorial in South America – 21 December 2025
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