United States forces have seized a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in the space of ten days, in a significant escalation of maritime enforcement actions targeting vessels linked to the South American nation.
Dramatic Footage of Pre-Dawn Interception
Aerial video of the operation was shared publicly by US Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, on her official X account. The footage shows a helicopter approaching a vessel at sea during the early hours.
In a post accompanying the video, Secretary Noem stated: 'In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela.' The precise location was given as international waters off the Venezuelan coast.
A Pattern of Enforcement Emerges
This latest seizure follows an almost identical operation on 10 December, when another oil tanker was intercepted in the same region. According to reports, both vessels were heading to Asia at the time of their apprehension.
The back-to-back actions signal a clear and intensified policy of interdiction. The involvement of the Department of War, alongside the Coast Guard, underscores the operation's strategic importance to Washington.
Implications for US-Venezuela Relations
These maritime seizures represent a direct challenge to Venezuela's oil exports, a critical source of revenue for the government of Nicolás Maduro. The operations, conducted under the current Trump administration, highlight the ongoing pressure campaign against Caracas.
The choice to publicise the action via social media is also notable, projecting a message of enforcement capability and resolve to both international audiences and domestic constituents. The long-term impact on regional stability and global oil shipping routes remains to be seen, but these events mark a bold new chapter in US intervention in the Americas.
