US tanker interception off Venezuela
The Caribbean Sea is once again at the centre of rising tensions as the United States intercepted a tanker off Venezuela, citing counter-narcotics operations. According to TankerTrackers, the Panama-flagged vessel was carrying around 1.8 million barrels of crude oil loaded in a Venezuelan port and destined for a Chinese company. Washington claims the ship was transporting oil under US sanctions, while Caracas immediately denounced the seizure as an act of naval piracy. The incident follows recent statements by President Donald Trump announcing a “total blockade” against sanctioned tankers linked to Venezuela.
Sanctions enforcement and maritime operations
US authorities identified the vessel as the Centuries, accusing it of carrying crude belonging to PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company under US sanctions. A White House spokesperson alleged the tanker was sailing under a false flag and was part of a ghost fleet used to finance what Washington describes as the “narco-terrorist regime” of President Nicolás Maduro. Caracas rejected these claims, accusing US forces of seizing a private vessel and forcibly detaining its crew, and announced plans to raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council. The interception follows a similar operation conducted on 10 December.
Regional reactions and rising maritime tensions
Since the summer, the United States has deployed a significant military presence across the Caribbean, regularly targeting vessels departing Venezuela under the banner of counter-narcotics operations. Venezuelan authorities claim at least 104 people have been killed in the Caribbean and Pacific without evidence of drug trafficking. Amid this escalation, Iran has offered cooperation to Caracas to counter what it calls US “international piracy.” Regional reactions remain divided, with Brazil seeking mediation and Argentina openly supporting Washington, highlighting growing geopolitical friction at sea.
