The interdiction comes amid a major U.S. military buildup in the region, including the deployment of an aircraft carrier, fighter jets, and tens of thousands of troops. The show of force is intended to deter hostile actors and underscore U.S. resolve in enforcing its policies.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the operation was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard but declined to identify the tanker or specify the exact location of the seizure. The Coast Guard referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately respond. The Venezuelan government also declined to comment.
The move signals a harder line from Washington after months of intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, even as the administration had largely avoided disrupting Venezuela’s oil exports. Last month, Venezuela shipped more than 900,000 barrels of oil per day—its third-highest monthly total this year—driven by increased imports of naphtha that allowed state-run PDVSA to export more extra-heavy crude.
Oil exports remain Venezuela’s primary source of revenue, though the country struggles to sell its crude at full price. China, its main buyer, has leveraged competition from heavily discounted Russian and Iranian oil to drive prices down. Until now, the U.S. had refrained from directly interfering with these exports, despite tightening sanctions. The tanker seizure suggests that period of restraint may be ending, signaling a shift from accommodation to enforcement.
