On December 20, 2025, the Venezuelan government blasted what it called a new "theft and kidnapping" of a privately owned oil tanker in international waters, alleging that U.S. military forces seized the vessel and made its crew disappear.
In an official statement, Caracas described the operation as an act of piracy that "seriously violated" international law and undermined freedom of navigation and maritime trade. Authorities argued the move breached key provisions of the UN Charter and multiple maritime safety conventions.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed that U.S. forces intercepted the tanker off Venezuela's coast earlier that day. This marks the second such seizure in recent weeks amid a visible U.S. military build-up in the region.
The incident comes just days after President Donald Trump ordered a blockade on all oil tankers subject to U.S. sanctions entering or leaving Venezuelan ports. Caracas warns that these measures are escalating tensions and risking the safety of commercial crews.
Experts caution that repeated confrontations at sea may ripple through energy markets already on edge this year and strain diplomatic ties across the Americas.
Venezuelan authorities are calling on the UN and G20 partners to condemn what they deem a blatant violation of maritime norms. As the standoff intensifies, observers say both sides face mounting pressure to avoid miscalculations that could spark wider regional instability.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
