US Seizes Oil Tanker Near Venezuela Amid Rising Tensions in the Americas

The United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, an action announced by President Donald Trump amidst a deepening confrontation between Washington and Caracas. The operation took place on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, and marks one of the biggest maritime enforcement operations in recent months.

Officials in Washington confirmed that the tanker was intercepted in international waters off the coast of Venezuela. It is part of a broader campaign by the US administration to compel the Venezuelan government to change its stance on energy exports, among other things. Already, while not much has been divulged on the ownership of the vessel or its cargo, the announcement has sparked strong reactions across the region.

The incident underlines the precarious state of relations between the two countries. Over the past years, Venezuela has grown increasingly dependent on oil exports. Sanctions and other restrictions have been tightening over recent years. Washington has maintained that such measures are meant to prevent actions that Washington says are destabilizing; critics suggest the decision will further exacerbate humanitarian and economic conditions for Venezuelans.

Regional experts say the seizure could further exacerbate diplomatic channels, with a possibility of retaliatory measures. Experts in maritime security also note that such operations show the increasing relevance of naval enforcement in geopolitical disputes. As events continue to unfold, global markets are keeping a close eye on how this could affect oil supply and price.

The event will add a further layer of complexity to an already tense relationship between Washington and Caracas, raising questions over any future negotiations and the stability of energy trade in the Americas.