U.S. authorities have seized a second oil tanker near Venezuela, expanding efforts to enforce sanctions and disrupt illicit petroleum shipments from the South American nation.
The latest interception occurred in international waters and involved a vessel suspected of transporting cargo in violation of existing sanctions aimed at limiting revenue flows tied to the Venezuelan regime. Federal officials said the operation was conducted under applicable maritime and sanctions laws.
This action follows a prior seizure of another Venezuelan-linked tanker, signaling an intensification of enforcement measures against sanctioned oil shipments. U.S. agencies involved in the operation said the move was designed to target networks that facilitate unauthorized exports and undermine international economic restrictions.
The vessel and its cargo have been taken into U.S. custody pending legal proceedings. Authorities are reviewing documentation and ownership records as part of the ongoing enforcement process.
Venezuelan officials have condemned the seizures as unlawful, but U.S. leaders maintain that the actions are lawful and necessary to uphold sanctions policy. The expanded operation underscores Washington’s commitment to tightening pressure on sanction evasion and cracking down on illicit energy trafficking in the region.