Washington, DC – US President Donald Trump announced, according to US and international media reports, that the United States has seized an oil tanker. This tanker had departed Venezuelan waters without official authorization. This move comes amid escalating political and economic tensions between Washington and both Venezuela and Russia.
Media outlets quoted Trump as saying that the seizure of the tanker was carried out in accordance with US laws and sanctions. He also emphasized that his country “will not allow smuggling or illegal oil transfers.” This was a reference to attempts to circumvent international sanctions imposed on Venezuela’s energy sector and accusations of coordination with Russian entities.
This announcement comes in a highly sensitive political and security context, following unprecedented events related to the alleged kidnapping of the US president, according to media reports. This prompted the US administration to take what it described as decisive measures against what it considers direct threats to its interests and national security. Full details regarding the tanker’s location or the fate of its cargo have not yet been released.
According to media reports, the tanker was en route to an international destination after loading Venezuelan oil, without completing the required legal procedures. Washington considered this a clear violation of sanctions and part of a broader network of illicit activities related to the oil trade.
The US move, however, provoked mixed reactions. Political and economic figures warned that seizing oil tankers could lead to a new escalation in the ongoing conflict and could negatively impact the stability of global energy markets. Venezuela and Russia, in similar previous statements, have also considered such actions to be “international piracy” and a violation of international law.
Observers believe that Trump’s announcement reflects a US trend toward intensifying the use of economic and security tools against its adversaries. This comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension, raising concerns about a potential escalation of the confrontation in the coming period.
