US Seizes Second Venezuelan Oil Tanker
The United States has seized another oil tanker near Venezuela, the second such operation this month. The ship, named *Centuries*, had recently departed from Venezuela and was stopped in international waters by the US Coast Guard with support from the Department of Homeland Security. A tactical team boarded the vessel in a pre-dawn raid, and video footage shared online showed helicopters landing on its deck.
US officials said the tanker was carrying sanctioned oil that helps fund terrorism and criminal networks in the region. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the United States will continue to pursue ships involved in illicit oil trade, warning, “We will find you, and we will stop you.” The *Centuries* is registered under Panama’s flag, though records show it has also sailed under Greece and Liberia in recent years. Despite this, the vessel is not currently listed among ships sanctioned by the US Treasury.
Venezuela strongly condemned the seizure, calling it “theft and kidnapping.” Its government said these actions would not go unpunished and announced plans to file complaints with the United Nations and other international organizations. President Nicolás Maduro has accused Washington of trying to steal Venezuela’s resources, while the US accuses him of leading a criminal group known as the Cartel de los Soles, which it labels a terrorist organization. Maduro denies these claims.
The seizure comes at a time of rising tensions in the Caribbean. The US has recently increased its military presence in the region and carried out deadly strikes on boats it claims were smuggling drugs from Venezuela. Reports suggest around 100 people have been killed in these operations, though Congress has raised concerns about the lack of evidence provided to support the military’s claims.
This latest incident follows the capture of another vessel, the *Skipper*, earlier in December. US officials described that ship as part of a “ghost fleet” used to hide illegal oil shipments. The *Skipper* was taken to a US port, and Venezuela accused the US of kidnapping its crew and stealing the vessel.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the country will continue maritime operations to dismantle criminal networks, declaring that “violence, drugs, and chaos will not control the Western Hemisphere.” Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, relies heavily on oil exports to fund its government spending, making these seizures a serious blow to its economy.
