U.S. Intercepts Venezuelan Oil Tanker in International Waters Amid Escalating Blockade Tensions

The United States has intercepted an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, intensifying tensions just days after President Donald Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil shipments entering and leaving the South American nation. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on Saturday that the Coast Guard stopped a tanker that had recently docked in Venezuela, marking the second such interception in recent weeks amid a growing U.S. military presence in the region.

In a statement posted on social media, Noem said the United States would continue to target what it describes as the illicit trade of sanctioned oil used to finance narco-terrorism. She warned that vessels involved in such activity would be tracked and stopped. Earlier, three U.S. officials had told Reuters the tanker was intercepted, though the White House did not immediately comment. The Coast Guard and the Pentagon referred questions back to the administration, while Venezuela’s oil ministry and state-owned PDVSA did not respond to media inquiries.

Venezuela strongly condemned the action, calling it a “serious act of international piracy.” In an official statement, the government accused the United States of hijacking a private vessel and forcibly disappearing its crew in international waters. Caracas said it plans to raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council and with other multilateral organizations.

Maritime risk firm Vanguard identified the ship as the Panama-flagged tanker Centuries, intercepted east of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea. Although the vessel itself is not sanctioned by the U.S., it is believed to be part of the so-called “shadow fleet” used to transport Venezuelan crude. The tanker reportedly carried about 1.8 million barrels of Merey crude oil destined for China, Venezuela’s largest oil customer.

Since the U.S. imposed energy sanctions on Venezuela in 2019, oil exports have relied heavily on intermediaries and tankers that disguise their identities and locations. Analysts say the recent interceptions have effectively created an embargo, with dozens of tankers now idling in Venezuelan waters to avoid seizure. Venezuelan crude exports have already dropped sharply, and if nearly a million barrels per day are removed from global supply for an extended period, oil prices could rise.

China remains the biggest buyer of Venezuelan oil, accounting for roughly 4% of its imports. While global oil markets are currently well supplied, prolonged disruption from U.S. enforcement actions could have significant economic and geopolitical consequences.