Reuters- America is preparing to seize additional tankers transporting Venezuelan oil as it increases pressure on President Nicolas Maduro, according to six sources familiar with the situation. This follows the interception of a tanker earlier this week—the first such action since US sanctions were imposed on Venezuela’s oil sector in 2019. The move comes amid a significant US military buildup in the southern Caribbean and ongoing efforts by President Donald Trump to push for Maduro’s removal.
The recent seizure has caused shipowners, operators, and maritime agencies involved in Venezuelan oil shipments to reconsider planned voyages. More US interventions are expected soon, particularly targeting tankers that may also have transported oil from other sanctioned states such as Iran.
Venezuela’s state oil firm PDVSA did not respond to requests for comment, though the government labelled the US interception as “theft.” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt declined to discuss future plans but emphasized Washington’s commitment to enforcing sanctions, saying the US would not allow sanctioned vessels to move “black market oil” that benefits rogue regimes.
According to sources, the US has compiled a list of additional sanctioned tankers under consideration for seizure. The Justice Department and Homeland Security have been preparing these operations for months. Any disruption to Venezuelan oil exports—the government’s primary revenue stream—could place further financial strain on Maduro’s administration. Separately, the US Treasury sanctioned six supertankers that recently loaded Venezuelan crude, as well as four Venezuelans, including relatives of First Lady Cilia Flores. It is unclear whether these vessels are among those being monitored for possible interception. This week’s action follows more than 20 US strikes on what it described as drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific—operations that critics argue may constitute unlawful extrajudicial attacks. The US maintains it is acting against terrorist-designated cartels.
A source familiar with Washington’s Venezuela policy said further seizures are part of an effort to tighten financial pressure on Maduro. The Venezuelan president has accused the US of preparing to overthrow him and seize the country’s oil assets.US attention is increasingly focused on the so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of tankers that move sanctioned oil—primarily to China, the largest buyer of Venezuelan and Iranian crude. Some vessels alternate between carrying oil from Venezuela, Iran and Russia.
The interception of the tanker Skipper has already disrupted shipments, prompting one shipper to halt three voyages carrying nearly 6 million barrels of Merey crude. Loaded tankers are now waiting offshore due to uncertainty. US forces are monitoring tankers at sea and vessels docked in Venezuelan ports, preparing to act once they enter international waters. Prior to the Skipper seizure, surveillance intensified near Venezuela and Guyana.
Leavitt said the seized vessel will be directed to a US port where its oil cargo will be formally confiscated. The timing of further seizures depends partly on port logistics and safety concerns, as many shadow fleet tankers are old, lack reputable insurance, and have opaque ownership structures.
Another vessel, the Seahorse—under UK and EU sanctions for its ties to Russia—was monitored and briefly detained by a US warship in November before proceeding to Venezuela.
