Washington says the vessel, known as The Skipper, was carrying sanctioned crude; Caracas denounces “piracy.”
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. authorities seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast on Wednesday, a move President Donald Trump announced publicly as a multi-agency team carried out a maritime operation linked to sanctions enforcement. The action unfolded in the Caribbean near Venezuela and immediately drew sharp condemnation from President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
The seizure matters because it tests how far Washington will go to choke off sanctioned oil flows from Venezuela and related networks. U.S. officials say the ship, identified by maritime records as The Skipper and also known historically as Adisa, was moving crude in violation of sanctions. Venezuela called the action an attack on its sovereignty. The operation, led by the Coast Guard with support from federal agents, briefly nudged oil prices higher and put new pressure on shippers working around sanctions. Legal steps and custody of the cargo are now at issue.
President Trump disclosed the action at a White House event, saying the United States had “just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela.” A short video later circulated by Attorney General Pam Bondi showed armed personnel fast-roping from a helicopter onto a large tanker deck. U.S. officials said the boarding was planned and executed without injuries. The vessel had recently departed the José oil terminal area on Venezuela’s northeastern coast, according to shipping summaries reviewed by reporters, and was believed to be carrying roughly 1.1 million barrels of crude. The tanker was formerly listed under different names and registries during the past decade as sanctions tightened. Its immediate destination after the seizure was not disclosed on Wednesday night.
Bondi said agents executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil tied to restricted trade. The Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard and other agencies took part, according to U.S. statements. Venezuelan officials denounced the operation as “international piracy” and “blatant theft,” saying they would bring the case before international bodies. Maduro did not speak at length about the incident but has previously accused Washington of seeking to control Venezuela’s natural resources. Opposition figures inside Venezuela said the episode underscores the regime’s reliance on shadow fleets and complex shipping practices as sanctions target state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.
Shipping databases list The Skipper as a roughly 20-year-old crude carrier that has operated under several names, including Adisa. The vessel has appeared in U.S. sanctions narratives since earlier investigations into oil trades involving intermediaries connected to Iran and other sanctioned actors. Analysts said Wednesday’s operation fits a pattern of cases in which U.S. authorities move to seize cargoes and ships through civil forfeiture, alleging proceeds benefit proscribed networks. Venezuela exported more than 900,000 barrels per day in November, according to recent market tallies, with Chevron saying its licensed operations continue despite broader restrictions. The government in Caracas argues such measures are unlawful and deepen the country’s economic hardship.
What happens next will play out in court and at sea. U.S. officials said paperwork to transfer custody and initiate forfeiture proceedings is in motion, typically handled by federal prosecutors after a vessel is redirected to a secure anchorage. Maritime security advisories may follow for ships operating near Venezuela as agencies assess potential retaliation or interference. Caracas said it plans to file complaints at regional forums and the United Nations. Any arraignments, forfeiture filings or public affidavits could be posted as early as Thursday, Dec. 11, outlining the alleged sanctions violations and the basis for the warrant.
On the ground in Venezuela, news of helicopters over open water traveled quickly through port towns near Barcelona and Puerto La Cruz. Dockworkers described extra patrols near the José complex and a visible pause in outbound movements as companies checked schedules. “People here heard the rotors and knew something big was happening,” said José Martínez, a tug crew member who spoke by phone. In Washington, a senior administration official said the operation was designed to avoid confrontation with Venezuelan forces and concluded “without incident.” Traders reported thin, jittery after-hours activity as benchmark crude rose modestly, with several charterers reassessing routes involving sanctioned entities.
As of late Wednesday, the ship remained under U.S. control and was expected to be escorted toward a designated anchorage while legal steps proceed. Venezuelan authorities insisted they will challenge the seizure and seek the vessel’s release. Court filings and agency statements due on Thursday will determine the location of the ship, the treatment of its cargo and the scope of the case in federal court. Further briefings from U.S. officials were expected no earlier than midmorning on Dec. 11.
Author note: Last updated December 10, 2025.