U.S. Navy Seizes Second Oil Tanker Near Venezuela as Trump Refuses to Rule Out War

In a major escalation of the maritime blockade, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Saturday the seizure of another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The operation, executed before dawn by the U.S. Coast Guard with Department of Defense support, marks the second such seizure in a week, following President Donald Trump’s executive order for a "total blockade" on sanctioned Venezuelan oil.

Targeting "Narco-Terrorism" under the Panama Flag In a post on "X" featuring footage of the boarding, Noem stated that the U.S. would continue to pursue the "illegal movement of sanctioned oil" allegedly used to finance "narco-terrorism." The vessel, flying a Panamanian flag and carrying Venezuelan crude, was seized despite President Nicolás Maduro’s previous condemnations of such actions as "maritime piracy."

From Economic Pressure to Military Posture The geopolitical standoff intensified following President Trump’s Friday interview, in which he stated he "would not rule out" military intervention in Venezuela. With Washington accusing the Maduro administration of leading a global drug trafficking network, the U.S. has deployed significant military assets to the Caribbean and Pacific. This naval buildup includes targeted strikes against suspected smuggling vessels, signaling that the "total blockade" may soon transition from an economic measure to a direct military confrontation.