The United States has intercepted and seized a Venezuelan oil tanker off its coastline, a move that has further intensified the already strained relationship between Washington and Caracas, according to a Bloomberg report.
The development comes amid renewed pressure from the US government on President Nicolás Maduro’s administration, which American officials continue to accuse of running a sprawling narcotrafficking network. The Pentagon has in recent months increased operations targeting vessels suspected of involvement in drug trafficking, with the latest seizure viewed as part of that ongoing campaign.
Venezuela, however, has condemned the action as yet another example of what it calls Washington’s overreach and hostility. Officials in Caracas argue that the interception reflects a broader attempt by the US to exert control over Venezuela’s vast oil wealth, a long-standing point of contention between the two countries.
In response to the mounting tensions, President Maduro has doubled down on his defiance. He has called for national unity, mobilised troops along key border areas, and accused foreign actors of attempting to destabilise the country. His critics—both domestic and international—have raised concerns about the geopolitical implications of the escalating standoff, warning that the confrontation could further aggravate Venezuela’s economic and political crisis.
The tanker seizure marks the latest chapter in a fraught US–Venezuela relationship defined by sanctions, mutual distrust, and competing narratives over security and sovereignty. As both sides harden their positions, observers fear the dispute may push the region toward deeper instability.