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U.S. Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tanker Skipper Amid Sanctions and Pressure on Maduro

U.S. Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tanker Skipper Amid Sanctions and Pressure on Maduro

The United States has seized an oil tanker named the Skipper off the coast of Venezuela, as part of its ongoing pressure campaign against President Nicolas Maduro's regime. The Skipper, previously known as the Adisa, was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 for facilitating oil trades with Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force. The seizure was conducted by U.S. forces, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War. The tanker was reportedly carrying Venezuelan crude oil and was headed to Cuba, with an ultimate destination in Asia. The Venezuelan government has condemned the seizure as an act of international piracy and plans to appeal to international bodies.

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Off Venezuela in Crackdown on Illicit Shipping

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Off Venezuela in Crackdown on Illicit Shipping

The U.S. has seized an oil tanker, the Skipper, off the coast of Venezuela as part of a broader effort to disrupt illicit oil shipping networks. The Skipper, previously known as the M/T Adisa, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2022 for its involvement in smuggling Iranian oil to support the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah. The vessel was carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil, with half of it reportedly belonging to a Cuban state-run oil importer. The seizure was executed by U.S. commandos who fast-roped from helicopters onto the ship, which was falsely flagged as a Guyanese vessel. This action is part of a larger U.S. campaign to target a fleet of tankers that operate under false flags and are involved in smuggling oil for countries under sanctions, such as Venezuela, Russia, and Iran.

U.S. Forces Seize Oil Tanker Off Venezuela Coast Amid Sanctions

U.S. Forces Seize Oil Tanker Off Venezuela Coast Amid Sanctions

U.S. forces have seized an oil tanker named The Skipper off the coast of Venezuela. The vessel, previously known as the Adisa, was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 for facilitating oil trades for Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force. The tanker was carrying Venezuelan crude oil destined for Cuba, with an ultimate destination in Asia, brokered through Cuban sellers. Satellite imagery showed the Skipper docked near the Venezuelan city of Barcelona, while its transponder falsely indicated a location off the coast of Guyana. The ship was flying a Guyana flag, despite not being registered there. Prior to its seizure, the Skipper had docked in Egypt, the UAE, and Hong Kong, and was noted to have loitered off Iran’s coast.

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker in Venezuelan Waters, Escalating Tensions with Caracas

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker in Venezuelan Waters, Escalating Tensions with Caracas

The United States has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Caracas. President Trump confirmed the operation, stating that the U.S. had seized the largest tanker ever, and hinted at further actions. The tanker, identified as the Panama-flagged 'Skipper', was under U.S. sanctions for its alleged role in transporting Venezuelan and Iranian crude through a shadow oil-shipping network linked to Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force. The U.S. authorities, including the Coast Guard, FBI, and Homeland Security, executed a seizure warrant, boarding the tanker by helicopter. The vessel had recently loaded heavy crude at Venezuela's Puerto José. The Venezuelan government condemned the seizure, calling it 'a blatant theft' and 'international piracy', and vowed to defend its sovereignty and resources.

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Amid Escalating Tensions with Venezuela

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Amid Escalating Tensions with Venezuela

The U.S. military has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, as announced by President Trump. This action is part of the Trump administration's increasing military activities in the region. The seizure was executed by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Department of Defense. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the execution of a seizure warrant on the tanker, which was reportedly used to transport oil from Venezuela and Iran. The operation involved personnel rappelling from helicopters onto the ship. The incident has contributed to a rise in oil prices, which increased by over 1.3% following the news.

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Linked to Terrorist Funding Off Venezuela Coast

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Linked to Terrorist Funding Off Venezuela Coast

The United States has unsealed a warrant for the seizure of the M/T Skipper, a crude oil tanker intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard off the coast of Venezuela. The tanker, previously identified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, was allegedly part of an oil shipping network supporting Hizballah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force, both designated as foreign terrorist organizations. The seizure, authorized by a U.S. District Court, is part of broader efforts to enforce U.S. sanctions and disrupt financial networks funding terrorism. The operation involved multiple U.S. agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker 'The Skipper' Near Venezuela Amid Sanctions

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker 'The Skipper' Near Venezuela Amid Sanctions

The United States has seized an oil tanker named 'The Skipper' off the coast of Venezuela. This operation, announced by President Trump, involved special operations forces and two helicopters, and was launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford. The tanker, previously known as 'Adisa', was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2022 for its alleged involvement in an oil smuggling network that supported the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah. The vessel is linked to Russian oil magnate Viktor Artemov and was reportedly transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. The operation was led by the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from Navy forces, and involved a fast-rope boarding from helicopters, a rare but trained-for maneuver. The government of Guyana noted that the ship was falsely flying the Guyanese flag.

US Seizes Oil Tanker Off Venezuelan Coast, Escalating Tensions

US Seizes Oil Tanker Off Venezuelan Coast, Escalating Tensions

President Trump confirmed that the United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The tanker, named the Skipper, was carrying Venezuelan crude and had been previously associated with Iranian oil. The seizure was executed by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the US Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, under a federal warrant due to the tanker's involvement in an illicit oil shipping network. The operation was conducted in international waters without incident or casualties. The Venezuelan government has condemned the action as 'international piracy' and plans to appeal to international bodies.

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Amidst Rising Tensions with Venezuela

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Amidst Rising Tensions with Venezuela

The United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, escalating tensions between the two nations. The tanker was reportedly transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. This action is part of President Trump's ongoing pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the tanker was concealing its location, a tactic often used to hide illegal activities. This seizure is part of broader U.S. efforts to curb illegal oil trade and apply economic pressure on Venezuela.

US Military Seizes Oil Tanker Near Venezuela in Sanctions Enforcement

US Military Seizes Oil Tanker Near Venezuela in Sanctions Enforcement

The U.S. military has seized an oil tanker near the coast of Venezuela, as shown in a video released by the Department of Justice. The operation, led by the U.S. Coast Guard and announced by President Trump, involved military helicopters and troops boarding the vessel. The tanker was reportedly used to transport oil from Venezuela and Iran, both under U.S. sanctions. According to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the operation is part of efforts to enforce sanctions and prevent the sale of sanctioned oil.

US Forces Seize Oil Tanker Near Venezuela Amid Accusations of Illicit Oil Shipping

US Forces Seize Oil Tanker Near Venezuela Amid Accusations of Illicit Oil Shipping

US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, escalating tensions with the government of President Nicolás Maduro. The tanker, identified as the Skipper, was allegedly involved in transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, supporting foreign terrorist organizations. The operation, led by the US Coast Guard with support from the Navy, involved special operations forces and was captured in a video released by the US government. The Trump administration claims the seizure is part of a broader campaign against narcoterrorism and illicit activities linked to Maduro's regime. Venezuelan officials have condemned the action as 'international piracy,' accusing the US of attempting to control Venezuela's energy resources.

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Off Venezuela Coast, President Trump Announces

U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Off Venezuela Coast, President Trump Announces

The United States has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, as announced by President Trump. The seizure is part of ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. The tanker, reportedly involved in transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, was seized by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Coast Guard. President Trump indicated that the U.S. intends to keep the oil from the tanker. The action is part of a broader U.S. strategy to combat illicit oil shipping networks and support sanctions against Venezuela.