US Seizes China-Bound Oil Tanker Off Venezuela in Act of Piracy

U.S. authorities intercepted and seized a large oil tanker tied to Venezuelan crude shipments in international waters off Venezuela, an action reported as part of a recent surge in maritime interdictions.

“President Trump announced the United States will keep two seized ships and nearly 4 million barrels of Venezuelan oil — and said a third seized vessel might be added to U”

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Reuters and regional outlets identified one seized vessel as the Panama-flagged Centuries and said the Coast Guard, backed by the Defense Department, intercepted the tanker 'before dawn' on Dec. 20, accusing it of carrying Venezuelan oil.

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Other interdictions in recent weeks included the VLCC Skipper and a pursuit of the Bella 1.

U.S. officials portray these operations as enforcement of sanctions and seizure orders against a so-called 'shadow' or 'dark' fleet that moves Venezuelan and Iranian crude.

Tracking firms and analysts reported many tankers have remained in local waters rather than risk interception.

U.S. officials and U.S. government sources consistently frame the interdictions as targeted actions to choke illicit revenue flows and enforce sanctions.

Officials described the targeted vessels as part of a sanctioned 'shadow' or 'dark fleet', cited judicial seizure warrants, and said some ships were flying false flags or lacked valid national registration, conditions they argue make boardings lawful.

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, U.S. officials, and agencies told media the goal is to disrupt what they describe as shipments that finance narco-terrorism or other illicit activity.

U.S. maritime authorities say some vessels had prior sanction-evasion behavior in tracking data.

Caracas and allied governments responded with strong diplomatic protests, calling the seizures 'international piracy' and asking the U.N. Security Council to intervene.

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Venezuelan officials and state media portrayed the U.S. actions as an attempt to seize the country's energy resources and to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro, while China and Russia condemned the moves as a serious breach of international law.

Several outlets reported that Iran offered support to Venezuela after the interception, highlighting the geopolitical tensions the seizures have inflamed.

Human-rights groups, lawmakers and alternative media questioned the legality and humanitarian cost of a broader U.S. maritime campaign linked to reported lethal strikes on small vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Multiple sources report that since September U.S. forces have carried out strikes on uncrewed or low-profile boats allegedly tied to narcotics trafficking, with casualty counts reported as at least 104 or more than 100 people killed.

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Critics label some strikes extrajudicial and warn the pattern endangers civilian lives and violates international law.

Alternative outlets portray the seizures and maritime strikes as part of a unilateral coercive policy lacking legal basis, while mainstream outlets emphasize U.S. officials' counter-narcotics rationale and judicial warrants.

The seizures have immediate economic and geopolitical effects.

“Government of President Nicolas Maduro denounces US seizure of oil tankers as illegal acts of piracy”

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Analysts say disruption and fear of interception have reduced Venezuelan exports and pushed tankers to stay offshore.

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China, Venezuela's biggest buyer, reiterated opposition to unilateral sanctions.

Shipping analysts and market reports warned that 'shadow fleet' practices and U.S. interdictions risk filling local storage and depressing flows.

This could potentially tighten markets and raise prices.

China and Russia publicly condemned the moves, framing them as violations of international law.