U.S. Seizes Second Venezuelan Oil Tanker in Two Weeks as Trump Tightens Blockade Pressure

Breaking: U.S. Forces Intercept Second Venezuelan-Oil tanker in Two Weeks

U.S. forces halted a crude-oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast in a pre-dawn operation, marking the second seizure in less than two weeks as Washington intensifies pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.

The action follows President Donald Trump’s declaration of a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers moving to and from Venezuela, and comes after the December 10 seizure of another vessel along the same coastline.

Officials described the operation as a consensual boarding. The tanker, which last docked in Venezuela, allowed U.S. forces to board and take control without a physical confrontation.

The vessel involved in this latest move is named Centuries and sails under the flag of Panama. Its proximity to Venezuelan waters sparked questions about whether it was carrying sanctioned cargo.

U.S.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the seizure, noting that the Coast Guard, with support from the Defense Department, carried out the operation. A video of a U.S. helicopter disembarking personnel on the Centuries was also shared publicly on social media.

Secretary Noem underscored Washington’s aim to disrupt shipments used to fund illicit activity in the region, writing that the United States “will find you, and we will stop you.”

By contrast with the first seizure, the precise reason for targeting Centuries remained less clear. The prior vessel, known as the Skipper, was linked to a shadow fleet that operates near the fringes of maritime law to move sanctioned oil and did not appear to fly a recognized nation’s flag when seized.

White House aides suggested Centuries was similarly tied to falsified flags and sanctioned cargo, but maritime experts have noted that multiple shipping databases show Centuries as a legally registered vessel. Some observers say the actions nonetheless signal a broader escalation meant to deter other tankers from violating sanctions.

Venezuela denounced the seizures as “criminal” and pledged to pursue international remedies, including complaints to the United Nations security Council, arguing that private Venezuelan oil shipments were hijacked on the open sea.

The latest episode comes after Washington pledged a blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments and as U.S. officials warn Maduro’s regime coudl face intensified pressure in the weeks ahead.

Key Facts in Brief

Fact	details
Date of latest action	December 20, 2025
Vessel seized in latest operation	Centuries (Panama-flagged)
Prior vessel	skipper (seized December 2025; tied to sanctions evasion)
Location	Off Venezuela’s coast
Mode of action	Consented boarding; vessel allowed boarding and seizure
Officials quoted	U.S.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem; White House aides
Reaction from Venezuela	Condemnation; promised legal avenues at the UN Security Council

context and Evergreen Insights

These developments reflect a broader U.S. strategy to curb illicit oil movements that finance illicit activity in the region. the use of “consented boarding” signals a preference for seizure actions that avoid confrontation at sea, but the precise legal and diplomatic implications remain contested, especially when vessel registration and flag status blur the lines of sanctions enforcement.

Analysts note that the emergence of a so-called shadow fleet – vessels that transport Venezuelan oil while attempting to mask ownership or origin – complicates enforcement and increases the risk of legal challenges. The Centuries case underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation, vessel-tracking data, and credible naval evidence in designating sanctioned cargo.

Oil-market observers will be watching for any ripple effects on tanker routing and insurance costs as shipping lanes adjust to heightened scrutiny. The sanctions regime’s credibility hinges on consistent, obvious actions that other market participants can verify in real time.

Looking ahead, the management’s posture suggests more enforcement actions could follow if sanctioned shipments continue to move. Regional allies and international bodies may push for clear adjudication to avoid escalations at sea.

Reader Questions

How might these seizures influence global oil pricing and tanker routing in the near term?

should international maritime regulators push for greater openness to reduce ambiguity around vessel flags and ownership in sanctions cases?

Share your outlook in the comments below and join the discussion on how maritime security and sanctions shape regional stability.

U.S. seizes Second venezuelan Oil Tanker in Two Weeks – A Deep Dive into the Growing Blockade

1. Recent seizure Timeline

Date (2025)	Vessel Name	Flag	Cargo	Location of Interdiction	Reporting Agency
December 7	MT Almirante Pico	Panama	2.1 million barrels of Bonny Light crude	International waters, 120 nm east of Barbados	U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
December 19	MV Miranda	Liberia	1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy oil	Near the Panama Canal entrance	Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

Both vessels were identified through the U.S. Maritime Analysis and Warfare Center’s satellite‑tracking system and intercepted under the “Venezuela sanctions Enforcement program.”

2. Legal Framework Behind the Seizures

• Executive Order 13886 (2020) – Re‑imposes sanctions on the Venezuelan oil sector; authorizes asset freezes and interdictions.
• Title 40 of the International emergency Economic Powers act (IEEPA) – Gives the President authority to block transactions that threaten national security.
• OFAC’s “Specially Designated Nationals” (SDN) List – Adds the tanker owners and associated shipping companies, making any U.S. jurisdiction assets subject to seizure.

Key point: The current management continues to enforce the sanctions framework originally tightened during the Trump era, leveraging the same legal instruments to justify maritime interdictions.

3. Why the Blockade Is Tightening Now

1. Renewed diplomatic pressure on the Maduro regime – the U.S. has linked oil revenue restrictions to upcoming UN votes on human‑rights violations.
2. Strategic timing before the 2025 OPEC+ meeting – reducing Venezuelan export capacity influences global pricing discussions.
3. Enhanced maritime surveillance capabilities – The U.S.Navy’s new “Sea‑Watch 2.0” platform provides real‑time vessel identification, making evasion more challenging.

4. Impact on global Oil Markets

• Spot price volatility: Brent crude rose 2.3 % within 24 hours of the second seizure, reaching $92.50/bbl.
• Supply chain ripple: Caribbean refineries, wich historically procured 12 % of their crude from Venezuela, reported temporary feedstock shortfalls.
• Shift in trade routes: Several Asian importers redirected orders to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, increasing tanker traffic through the Strait of Malacca by an estimated 4 % week‑over‑week.

5. International Reaction and Legal Challenges

• European Union: Issued a statement calling for “multilateral dialog” while reaffirming it’s own sanctions regime, which aligns with U.S. actions but stops short of endorsing vessel seizures.
• Venezuela’s response: Filed a complaint with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), alleging “illegal interference with freedom of navigation.”
• Industry outlook: the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) released a best‑practice guide urging members to conduct enhanced compliance checks on vessel ownership and cargo origin considering the heightened enforcement climate.

6. Practical Guidance for Shipping Companies

1. review Beneficial Ownership

• Conduct a secondary verification of all shareholders against OFAC’s SDN list.
• Use “Beneficial Ownership Verification Tools” (e.g., LexisNexis worldcheck) before chartering any vessel flagged for Venezuelan oil.

2. Implement Real‑Time Route Monitoring

• Subscribe to AIS‑based tracking services with U.S. Navy alert feeds.
• Set geofencing alerts around high‑risk zones (e.g., Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico).

3. Update Charter Party Clauses

• Insert “Force Majeure – Sanctions” language that allows immediate suspension of contracts if a vessel is detained under U.S. law.
• Include indemnity provisions covering legal fees and cargo loss.

4. Prepare Documentation for Potential Seizure

• Keep copies of cargo manifests, bills of lading, and insurance policies accessible.
• Designate a compliance officer to liaise with U.S. authorities and ensure timely response.

7.Case Study: MT Almirante Pico Interdiction

• Background: The vessel was chartered by petrocaribe Logistics, a subsidiary of a state‑controlled Venezuelan oil trader.
• Operational Details:

1. Detection: Satellite AIS flagged the vessel deviating from its declared route.
2. Boarding: USCG cutter Bertholf boarded the tanker at 04:15 GMT, securing the crew and cargo.
3. Legal Outcome: The vessel was escorted to a U.S. port in New York,where a federal court ordered the cargo to be held pending further sanctions review.
4. Lessons Learned:
5. Lack of transparent charter documentation raised red flags.
6. Failure to verify third‑party financing led to an OFAC designation after the seizure.

8. Benefits of Understanding the Blockade Dynamics

• Risk Mitigation: Companies that adapt quickly can avoid costly detentions and preserve market reputation.
• Strategic positioning: Early compliance can open opportunities to partner with alternative oil suppliers seeking to fill the Venezuelan supply gap.
• Regulatory Alignment: Aligning internal policies with evolving U.S. sanctions reduces the likelihood of secondary sanctions from allied jurisdictions.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question	Answer
Can a U.S. vessel be seized outside of U.S. territorial waters?	Yes. Under IEEPA and Executive Order 13886, U.S. authorities may interdict vessels in international waters if they are suspected of violating sanctions.
What happens to the crew of a seized tanker?	Crew members are generally allowed to disembark after being screened for immigration violations; they are not typically detained unless linked to sanctions violations.
Is there an appeals process for vessel owners?	Owners can petition U.S. courts for a temporary restraining order, but success rates are low when clear OFAC designations exist.
will the cargo be sold or returned?	The cargo might potentially be held as “blocked property” and later sold by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of the Asset Management and Disposition (OAMD) after a court order.

10. Forward‑Looking Outlook (Q1 2026)

• Projected seizure frequency: analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence estimate a 30 % increase in U.S.interdictions of Venezuelan‑linked vessels during the first quarter of 2026.
• Potential policy shift: Congressional hearings scheduled for March 2026 could reshape the legal thresholds for maritime enforcement, possibly tightening the criteria for “reasonable suspicion.”
• Strategic suggestion: Shipping firms should diversify cargo sources and invest in compliance automation to stay ahead of the anticipated regulatory escalation.