U.S. Seizure of Sanctioned Oil Tanker Off Venezuela

This operation enforced sanctions against smuggling networks linked to designated terrorist entities. The boarding occurred without resistance from the crew, resulting in no casualties.

CARIBBEAN — U.S. forces seized the oil tanker Skipper in international waters off the coast of Venezuela. The vessel carried approximately 1.6 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil after transferring 200,000 barrels near Curacao.

Trump Declares Venezuelan Airspace Closed Amid Venezuelan Rejection and Iranian Warnings of Potential Consequences

U.S. Military Operations in Latin America: Operation Southern Spear and Regional Security Efforts

USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Enters U.S. Southern Command Area to Support Anti-Narcotics Efforts

This operation enforced sanctions against smuggling networks linked to designated terrorist entities. The boarding occurred without resistance from the crew, resulting in no casualties.

The action aligns with efforts to disrupt illicit oil trades supporting Iran and its proxies. The tanker had a history of falsifying location data to evade detection.

Incident Details