U.S. INTERCEPTS SANCTIONED OIL TANKER OFF VENEZUELA, INTENSIFYING GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS — By Correspondent (December 21, 2025)

WASHINGTON — In a dramatic escalation of its pressure campaign against Venezuela’s government, the United States on Saturday intercepted and boarded a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in international waters, U.S. officials confirmed. The action marks a significant move following President Donald Trump’s recent order for a “total and complete blockade” on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan ports. Reuters+1

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Panama-flagged tanker Centuries—believed to be carrying roughly 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil intended for export—was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard with support from other military assets. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the illicit movement of oil Washington says is used to fund “narco-terrorism” and bolster the regime of President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. The Guardian

This interception follows an earlier U.S. seizure on December 10 of another sanctioned vessel, Skipper, under a broader maritime enforcement strategy that U.S. officials have termed Operation Southern Spear. Under that operation, U.S. authorities have deployed Coast Guard, FBI, Marine Corps and Navy units to target a “shadow fleet” of ships allegedly used to evade sanctions and transport Venezuelan crude to markets in Asia and elsewhere. Wikipedia+1

The Venezuelan government has vehemently condemned the latest action, labeling it “international piracy” and a violation of international law. Caracas has vowed to pursue legal action through the United Nations and other international bodies, accusing Washington of unlawful interference in its sovereign trade. The Washington Post

Analysts warn that continued U.S. disruption of Venezuela’s oil exports—the country’s primary source of revenue—could further squeeze global crude supply and contribute to higher energy prices, especially as China remains a major purchaser of Venezuelan heavy crude. Meanwhile, regional leaders, including Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have cautioned against what they describe as the risk of a wider humanitarian and geopolitical crisis stemming from increased military pressure. Sky News

Tensions between Washington and Caracas continue to mount as the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean Sea grows, and as both nations trade fierce diplomatic rhetoric over the legality and future implications of the blockade and maritime seizures. latimes.com