**WASHINGTON D.C.** – In a significant intensification of its economic pressure campaign against Caracas, the United States has seized a second oil tanker operating in international waters off the coast of Venezuela. The pre-dawn operation, conducted on Saturday morning, involved a specialized tactical team from the US Coast Guard and support from the Department of War, underscoring Washington's resolve to disrupt the flow of Venezuelan crude. This latest action follows a similar seizure earlier in December and signals a more aggressive application of sanctions by the Trump administration.
The tanker, identified as the Panama-flagged "Centuries," was reportedly intercepted in the Caribbean Sea, east of Barbados, after having recently departed from Venezuela. Officials from the US Department of Homeland Security stated the operation was aimed at intercepting the illicit movement of sanctioned oil, which they allege is used to finance narcotics trafficking and terrorism within the region. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a stern warning, asserting, "The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region. We will find you, and we will stop you."
This latest seizure is framed by the US as a direct enforcement of a "blockade" order issued by President Donald Trump earlier this month. The administration has indicated that any vessel transporting Venezuelan oil could be subject to interdiction, suggesting an expanding scope for sanctions enforcement. The move comes amidst already heightened geopolitical tensions between the US and Venezuela, with Washington actively seeking to isolate President Nicolás Maduro's government.
Venezuela has vehemently condemned the US action, denouncing it as an act of "theft and hijacking" and labelling it a "serious act of international piracy." The Venezuelan government, through Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, has also raised concerns about the welfare of the tanker's crew, suggesting they may have been subjected to "forced disappearance." Caracas has vowed repercussions, announcing its intention to lodge formal complaints with the United Nations Security Council and other international bodies.
The interception of the "Centuries," a vessel not previously listed on US sanctions lists, could represent an escalation in the enforcement strategy. Observers note that the US has also reportedly deployed a substantial naval presence to the region, further amplifying the pressure on Venezuela's vital oil exports. The administration's sustained efforts to cripple Venezuela's economy through oil sanctions are a cornerstone of its policy towards the South American nation. However, these measures have been met with strong resistance from Caracas, which views them as an attempt to plunder its natural resources. The ongoing maritime interdictions and Venezuela's defiant response indicate a potentially volatile period ahead, with the risk of further confrontation between the two nations.