Trump Says U.S. Forces Seized Record-Sized Oil Tanker Near Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that American forces intercepted and seized a crude-oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, describing the vessel as the largest ever captured by the United States. The president revealed the operation during a round-table discussion in the White House’s Roosevelt Room but did not disclose the ship’s owner, intended destination, or additional operational details, stating only that the move was carried out “for a very good reason.”

Energy market analysts later identified the tanker as the Skipper, a Guyana-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) loaded with approximately 1.1 million barrels of oil in mid-November. Matt Smith, head U.S. analyst at the consulting firm Kpler, said data show the cargo was loaded covertly and that the vessel had remained offshore Venezuela since that time. Tracking information indicated a likely course toward Cuba before the seizure halted its voyage.

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that federal agents executed a seizure warrant against the Skipper. According to Bondi, personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security’s Investigations unit, and the U.S. Coast Guard boarded the tanker with support from the Department of Defense. In a post on X, Bondi shared aerial footage—apparently captured by a military drone—showing soldiers rappelling from a helicopter onto the deck. She stated that the operation was “conducted safely and securely.”

Bondi added that the tanker has been subject to U.S. sanctions for several years due to its alleged role in an illicit shipping network that moves crude from Venezuela and Iran to benefit entities designated as foreign terrorist organizations. She emphasized that investigations aimed at preventing future shipments of sanctioned oil remain active.

The seizure coincided with modest gains in energy markets. By 3:12 p.m. ET, West Texas Intermediate crude rose 70 cents, or 1.2%, to $58.95 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed 71 cents, or 1.15%, to $62.65 a barrel.

Trump’s remarks follow weeks of intensifying U.S. pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. In an interview published Tuesday by Politico, the president said Maduro’s “days are numbered” and declined to rule out the possibility of a U.S. ground invasion. Washington has recently expanded its military presence in the Caribbean and carried out lethal strikes against boats it asserts were involved in drug trafficking.

Venezuela, a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves. According to Kpler data, the country has exported roughly 749,000 barrels per day (bpd) this year, with at least half of that volume bound for China. Shipments to the United States average about 132,000 bpd.

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Smith said the interception of the Skipper is likely to make commercial shippers “much more cautious and hesitant” about transporting Venezuelan crude. Additional logistical hurdles could further strain the country’s already limited export infrastructure.

Broader U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan crude exports have contributed to a reshaping of global trade flows since 2019. Details on the sanctions regime are available from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which maintains updated lists of restricted vessels and entities.

U.S. officials have not indicated when, or if, the seized cargo will be off-loaded or whether additional enforcement actions are imminent. For now, the tanker remains under American control while federal agencies continue their joint investigation.

Crédito da imagem: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images