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US intercepts Venezuelan-bound oil tanker in international waters
The United States has detained a second oil tanker connected to Venezuela this month, escalating tensions over maritime shipments from the sanctioned nation. The vessel, identified as the Centuries, was boarded by US Coast Guard forces in international waters, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Operation details and vessel background
A seven-minute video released by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem shows tactical teams landing on the tanker via helicopter. The Centuries, currently flying a Panamanian flag, has switched registries multiple times in the past five years, previously sailing under Greek and Liberian flags. Despite its history, the ship does not appear on the US Treasury's sanctioned vessels list.
Venezuela condemns seizure as 'theft'
The Venezuelan government denounced the operation as "theft and kidnapping," vowing to escalate the dispute to the UN Security Council and other international bodies. A statement from Caracas warned that "these acts will not go unpunished," echoing prior accusations that the US is attempting to expropriate Venezuela's resources.
"The US has kidnapped the crew and stolen the ship,"
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
Broader US strategy in the Caribbean
The seizure follows President Donald Trump's recent declaration of a "blockade" targeting Venezuelan oil tankers. The administration has ramped up military activity in the region, including airstrikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats that have killed approximately 100 people. Critics in Congress have demanded evidence linking the vessels to narcotics trafficking, which the Pentagon has yet to publicly provide.
Trump has repeatedly accused Maduro's government of using oil revenues to fund what he calls the Cartel de los Soles, a group the US designates as a terrorist organization. Venezuela denies the allegations, countering that Washington is fabricating charges to justify economic warfare.
Economic and geopolitical stakes
Venezuela, home to the world's largest proven oil reserves, relies heavily on crude exports to sustain its economy. The latest seizure occurred less than a week after the US intercepted another tanker suspected of being part of Venezuela's so-called "ghost fleet," which employs tactics to obscure its activities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the operations as part of a broader campaign to dismantle "illicit criminal networks," asserting that "violence, drugs, and chaos will not control the Western Hemisphere."
What's next
Venezuela's government has signaled it will pursue diplomatic channels to challenge the seizures, while the US appears poised to maintain its pressure campaign. Analysts warn the standoff could further destabilize global oil markets, particularly if Venezuela's export capacity is further constrained.
