US seizes oil tanker last docked in Venezuela

ISTANBUL

The US seized an oil tanker Saturday that was last docked in Venezuela, according to the American Homeland Security chief.

The US Coast Guard seized the vessel before dawn with support from the Pentagon, Kristi Noem wrote on US social media company X.

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region.

"We will find you, and we will stop you," Noem added.

Venezuelan officials responded in a statement that rejected the "theft and kidnapping" of an oil tanker by the US.

"These acts will not go unpunished," it noted, adding that Venezuela will exercise all corresponding actions, including filing a complaint before the UN Security Council and other multilateral organizations.

The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas.

US President Donald Trump declared a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.

The standoff intensified Dec. 10, when US forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker near the Venezuelan coast, an action Venezuela condemned as “international piracy.”

Washington has said the measures are aimed at combating corruption and drug trafficking, while Caracas accuses the US of using anti-narcotics efforts as a pretext to remove Maduro from power and gain control over Venezuela’s oil resources.