Summary
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. seized a large oil tanker near Venezuela. The tanker was reportedly involved in moving oil from Venezuela and Iran under U.S. sanctions. Venezuela called this seizure an act of international piracy.
Key Facts
- The U.S. seized a large oil tanker near the coast of Venezuela.
- President Trump stated this is the largest tanker taken by the U.S.
- The Venezuelan government labeled the seizure as "international piracy."
- The tanker was allegedly part of an illicit oil-shipping network for terrorist groups, according to the U.S.
- Multiple U.S. agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security, executed the seizure.
- The tanker identified as "Skipper" was sanctioned in 2022 and previously loaded with Venezuelan crude oil.
- U.S. officials did not disclose the exact location of the seizure.
- The tanker had transferred some oil to a ship heading to Cuba before the seizure.
