Ask Onix
US tightens grip on Venezuelan oil trade with fresh sanctions
The United States has imposed new sanctions on six vessels transporting Venezuelan oil, escalating a campaign against President Nicolás Maduro's government following the seizure of a tanker off Venezuela's coast.
Tanker seizure sparks diplomatic clash
On Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the seizure of the Skipper, a tanker accused of "illicit oil shipping." The vessel is being towed to a U.S. port, with authorities planning to confiscate its cargo after legal proceedings.
Venezuela condemned the move as "international piracy," with Maduro declaring the incident marked the beginning of a "new era of criminal naval piracy in the Caribbean." Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello labeled U.S. forces "murderers, thieves, pirates," accusing Washington of provoking global conflicts.
Sanctions target Maduro's inner circle
The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on three nephews of Maduro's wife, along with several businesses and ships, citing the president's "dictatorial and brutal control." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on X that the measures aim to hold "the regime and its circle of cronies" accountable for "continued crimes."
Leavitt framed the actions as part of a broader effort to disrupt "narco-terrorism," asserting that sanctioned vessels transport oil whose profits fund illicit activities. She declined to confirm whether more seizures were planned but warned the U.S. would not tolerate "black market oil" shipments.
Military buildup precedes raid
Footage released by the White House showed U.S. special forces rappelling onto the Skipper from a helicopter, weapons drawn. The operation followed a surge in American military presence in the Caribbean, including the deployment of the USS Gerald Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, near Venezuelan waters.
The Skipper was previously sanctioned in 2022 for allegedly smuggling oil to fund groups like Hezbollah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, according to CBS.
Geopolitical tensions rise
Maduro accused the U.S. of "kidnapping" the Skipper's crew and "stealing" the ship, vowing Venezuela would never become an "oil colony." The country, home to vast oil reserves, has long accused Washington of exploiting its resources under the guise of combating drug trafficking.
Leavitt dismissed concerns over a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maduro, where Putin offered Moscow's support amid "growing external pressure." She stated President Trump was "not concerned at all" by the gesture.
What's next
Analysts warn the sanctions and military actions could further strain U.S.-Venezuela relations, with potential economic repercussions for global oil markets. The U.S. has not indicated whether additional seizures or sanctions are imminent.
