The United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, an action Venezuela has condemned as a blatant theft and act of international piracy. A Venezuelan government statement framed the seizure as part of a prolonged aggression aimed at seizing the country's natural resources, particularly its oil.

Details of the Seizure and US Justification

US President Donald Trump confirmed the seizure of a large tanker. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that US officials executed a seizure warrant against a tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela to Iran. The operation involved armed officials in military-style uniforms descending from a helicopter onto the vessel's deck.

Identification of the Vessel and Its Recent Movements

While US officials have not formally named the tanker, maritime risk management group Vanguard identified it as the Skipper. This vessel was previously blacklisted by the US for alleged Iran sanctions violations when it traded under the name Adisa. According to data intelligence firm Kpler, the Skipper's location transponder had recently broadcast its position near floating production units off Guyana, but satellite imagery indicates it was actually at the Venezuelan port of Jose until a week ago, where it reportedly loaded 1.1 million barrels of Merey crude. By Thursday morning, its transponder showed it sailing east of northern Grenada.

Vessel Ownership and Supporting Evidence

Video footage of the seizure posted by Bondi shows a fully-laden tanker with design features matching the Imabari-built Skipper. The vessel, which began its service as the Toyo for NYK Line, has had several owners and is currently owned by Triton Navigation Corp, registered in the Marshall Islands and managed by Thomarose Global Ventures of Nigeria.