The United States military conducted a dramatic seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker on December 10, 2025, marking a significant escalation in efforts to curb illicit oil trade linked to sanctioned regimes. The operation targeted the vessel Skipper, which authorities described as part of a shadowy fleet evading international sanctions. Officials emphasized that the action aimed to disrupt revenue streams supporting foreign terrorist organizations and drug trafficking networks.
American authorities pursued the Skipper due to its history of transporting black-market oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. The tanker, a 332-meter vessel, had been designated by the U.S. Treasury in 2022 for delivering sanctioned crude to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. Since joining the global dark fleet in 2021, it has carried nearly 13 million barrels of Iranian and Venezuelan oil, according to satellite imagery and shipping documents analyzed by experts. At the time of the seizure, the ship held approximately 2 million barrels of heavy crude, with roughly half allocated to a Cuban state-run importer. U.S. officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, connected the move to broader anti-drug initiatives, noting that such vessels facilitate the flow of illegal narcotics into the country. The operation also signals a renewed crackdown on the shadow fleet, a network of stateless tankers that have sustained oil exports from nations like Venezuela, Iran, and Russia despite global restrictions.
The seizure unfolded approximately 360 nautical miles northwest of Guyana’s coast, in international waters off Venezuela. U.S. Coast Guard and Marine personnel fast-roped from SH-60 Seahawk helicopters onto the tanker’s deck, securing control without reported injuries to the crew. The Skipper had departed Venezuela’s main oil port the previous week after docking at Jose Terminal on November 18, but it repeatedly obscured its position by zigzagging its transponder signal and flying a false Guyana flag, in breach of maritime protocols. A judicial warrant authorized the boarding, after which federal agents began interviewing the crew and searching the vessel for evidence. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed during a briefing on December 11 that the ship is undergoing a forfeiture process, with plans to seize its cargo pending legal review. She stated, “The U.S. does intend to seize that oil, however there is a legal process for its seizure and that legal process will be followed.”
Footage of the operation, released shortly after the event, captured the helicopters hovering above the tanker as armed service members descended ropes to board the ship. Attorney General Pam Bondi shared the partially redacted video on X on December 10, depicting the precise moment of the takeover amid a months-long U.S. military buildup in the region. The Department of Homeland Security amplified a version of the clip on social media, featuring the LL Cool J track “Mama Said Knock You Out” as its soundtrack, which quickly spread across platforms. Bondi described the tanker as sanctioned “for multiple years” due to its role in an illicit network aiding terrorist groups, underscoring the footage’s role in highlighting the administration’s enforcement actions.
Venezuelan officials condemned the seizure as “a blatant theft and an act of international piracy,” accusing the Trump administration of targeting the nation’s natural resources. President Nicolás Maduro’s government argued that the move exposes ulterior motives centered on Venezuela’s oil reserves, which belong to its people. The incident prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to reaffirm support for Caracas, while global oil prices rose in response to heightened geopolitical risks. Analysts predict the action will increase shipping costs for Venezuelan exports, further straining Maduro’s regime amid ongoing sanctions and charges of narcoterrorism. As the Skipper heads toward a U.S. port, investigations continue to uncover links to broader illicit networks.