The U.S. has seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump introduced on Wednesday, amid escalating tensions between the administration and the South American nation.
“It has been a really fascinating day, from the standpoint of stories. As you in all probability know, we have simply seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela,” Trump stated as he kicked off a roundtable occasion on the White Home.
“Giant tanker, very giant, largest one ever seized, really. And different issues are occurring, so you will be seeing that later and you will be speaking about that later with another folks,” Trump continued.
President Donald Trump speaks throughout a roundtable dialogue within the Roosevelt Room of the White Home in Washington, December 10, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
The oil tanker that was seized is known as a VLCC, or Very Giant Crude Service, two sources informed ABC Information. VLCC’s are giant oil tankers and may carry as much as round 2 million barrels of oil.
The vessel was certain for Cuba, the sources stated. The U.S. Coast Guard performed the seizure, in line with two sources.
Trump stayed mum when pressed for extra particulars on the tanker throughout the roundtable occasion, however claimed it occurred for “superb motive” and that photographs could be launched later.
When requested what occurs to the oil on the ship, Trump stated that the U.S. will doubtless maintain it. Pressed additional on who owns the tanker, Trump declined to reply.
Venezuela has the most important recognized oil reserves on the planet, and oil exports are the federal government’s fundamental income.
The U.S. hadn’t overtly interfered in oil exports throughout its strain marketing campaign on Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro’s regime till now.
It is a creating story. Please test again for updates.
