Great Satan US Steals Tanker Off Venezuela in Another Act of Piracy
US forces have intercepted an additional oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking the second operation of its kind in under two weeks. This development underscores Trump's continued hardline campaign to intensify pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
U.S. officials have reported that in a pre-dawn operation on Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard, assisted by the Department of Defense, successfully intercepted an oil tanker that had previously stopped in Venezuela.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has officially confirmed the operation, releasing unclassified video footage that depicts a United States helicopter deploying personnel onto the vessel identified as the Centuries.
A crude oil tanker, operating under the Panamanian flag, was recently identified in proximity to the Venezuelan coastline, as per vessel-tracking information provided by MarineTraffic. US officials have yet to specify whether the vessel is directly impacted by American sanctions.
Governor Kristi Noem has stated that the operation is linked to Washington’s attempt to curtail the transportation of “sanctioned oil,” which U.S. authorities claim finances “narcoterrorism” within the area. In a social media post, she asserted, “The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil. We will find you, and we will stop you.”
An official from the United States, as reported by the Associated Press, described the action as a “consented boarding.”
The recent interception occurred in the wake of Trump’s announcement earlier this month, in which he referred to a “blockade” targeting “sanctioned oil tankers” operating between Venezuela and other destinations.
This event follows closely on the heels of US forces intercepting another tanker, the Skipper, near the Venezuelan coast on December 10.
Trump has consistently pointed to purported conflicts regarding oil resources and accusations of drug trafficking as reasons for increasing pressure on Caracas.
This week, Trump asserted that Venezuela must restore assets “seized” from U.S. oil companies years prior, suggesting that these losses had influenced his decision to take action against oil shipments associated with the nation.
In the 1970s, Venezuela’s nationalization initiatives significantly reshaped its petroleum industry, which had previously been led by US oil companies.
The interception of tankers is occurring alongside a larger U.S. military initiative in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. In this effort, Trump has mandated attacks on vessels deemed by his administration to be trafficking fentanyl and other illicit substances.
Since the beginning of September, a minimum of 104 individuals have lost their lives in 28 reported attacks.
The operations have come under intense scrutiny from human rights organizations and some congressional members. They argue the administration has supplied insufficient evidence to prove the targeted vessels were involved in drug trafficking and have voiced concerns that the strikes may constitute extrajudicial killings.
In recent months, the United States has significantly increased its military presence in the region by deploying a substantial number of warships, marking the most considerable buildup in decades. Trump has issued multiple warnings that these actions could precede potential land-based operations.
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has dismissed allegations from the United States, asserting that the true intent of Washington is to unseat him from his position of authority.
