The United States seized a tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday, US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced later that day.
"For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations," Bondi posted on her X account.
The tanker is a vessel named "The Skipper," which was sanctioned by Washington in 2022 over ties to Iran and Hezbollah, according to CBS News.
Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that the United States had seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, three officials told Reuters on Wednesday, a move that raised oil prices and may further inflame tensions between Washington and Caracas.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the seizure.
Trump has also ordered a massive US military build-up in the region, including an aircraft carrier, fighter jets, and tens of thousands of troops.
Venezuela accuses US of 'blatant theft' after tanker seized in Caribbean
The Venezuelan government has accused the United States of "blatant theft" after it seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, it said in a statement.
The Venezuelan government said it would "defend its sovereignty, natural resources, and national dignity with absolute determination" and would denounce the seizure of the tanker before international bodies.
Venezuela's valuable oil exports
Venezuela exported more than 900,000 barrels per day of oil last month, the third-highest monthly average so far this year, as state-run company PDVSA imported more naphtha to dilute its extra-heavy oil output. Even amid increasing pressure over Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Washington had not moved to interfere with the country's oil flows.
Oil exports are Venezuela's main source of revenue. The country has had to deeply discount its crude in its main buyer, China, due to growing competition with sanctioned oil from Russia and Iran.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has alleged that the US military build-up off Venezuela is aimed at overthrowing him and gaining control of the OPEC nation’s vast oil reserves.
Trump has repeatedly raised the possibility of US military intervention in Venezuela.
Oil tanker seized by US near Venezuela was falsely flying Guyana flag, government says
Guyana's maritime authority said on Wednesday that supertanker Skipper carrying Venezuelan oil, which was seized by the United States, was falsely flying Guyana's flag.
"The Maritime Administration Department has observed the proliferation and unacceptable trend of the unauthorised use of the Guyana flag by vessels that are not registered in Guyana," it said in a statement.
The authority, which was informed by the US government of the tanker's seizure, plans to take action against the unauthorized use of the country's flag, it added.