Washington framed the tanker seizure as part of a broader effort to tighten enforcement on sanctioned oil networks spanning Venezuela, Iran and allied intermediaries.

Caracas said the move exposed a strategic U.S. push to control resource flows in the Caribbean, escalating a confrontation already shaped by military buildups and repeated maritime strikes.

Operation Conducted With Helicopter Assault

U.S. crews boarded the tanker after deploying from the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford using fast-rope insertions.

Video shows armed personnel moving through the ship’s superstructure with weapons drawn. Officials said the mission was executed under law-enforcement authority and supported by multiple federal agencies.

Tanker Identified as the Skipper

The vessel had departed Venezuela around 2 December carrying about 2 million barrels of heavy crude. Internal documents indicate roughly half the cargo belonged to a Cuban state-run importer.

The ship, formerly named Adisa, had been sanctioned in 2022 for its role in an illicit oil-shipping network tied to foreign armed groups.

Venezuela Denounces Seizure as Piracy

Venezuelan authorities said the action revealed Washington’s long-term interest in the country’s natural resources.

Officials argued the move fits a pattern of aggression following a major U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. President Maduro told supporters that the country was prepared to resist external pressure with whatever means necessary.

Oil Market Reacts to Seizure

Brent crude rose 0.4% to $62.21 per barrel after the news, while U.S. crude settled at $58.46.

Analysts said the action intensified short-term supply concerns but did not materially change Venezuela’s export constraints. Ship-tracking data shows the tanker transferred 200,000 barrels near Curaçao just before its capture.

U.S. Strike Campaign Faces Scrutiny

The seizure comes as Washington has conducted over 20 maritime strikes since early September, resulting in more than 80 deaths.

Lawmakers question whether the operations meet legal thresholds for the use of lethal force. Defense officials said additional actions remain under review as military assets continue operating near Venezuelan waters.