US Seizes Second Venezuelan Oil Tanker; Russia Pledges Support to Venezuela

The United States has seized a second oil tanker linked to Venezuela this month, escalating tensions after President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” on sanctioned vessels entering and leaving the country.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the operation was carried out by the Coast Guard in international waters on Saturday.

While the ship itself was not listed among US-sanctioned vessels, the White House later stated that its cargo was sanctioned. “The tanker contained sanctioned PDVSA oil,” said White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, alleging it was part of Venezuela’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to traffic oil and fund President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

Venezuela condemned the earlier seizure as “theft and kidnapping”, accusing the U.S. of piracy and violations of international law. The government said it would file complaints with the UN Security Council and other multilateral bodies, warning that “these acts will not go unpunished.”

Today, Venezuela has sought support from international allies. In a social media post, the government said Foreign Minister Yvan Gil held a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov expressed Russia’s support for Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro, and the claim that international law is being violated.

The post read, “The Russian Chancellor affirmed that Russia will provide full cooperation and support to Venezuela against the blockade, expressing full support for the actions taken within the UN Security Council.”