‘Act of piracy’ or law: Can the US legally seize a Venezuelan tanker?
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In December 2025, the United States seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, an action described by President Trump that has increased tensions with Venezuela and caused oil prices to rise. The Venezuelan government has condemned the seizure as "international piracy" and "blatant theft." US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the tanker was seized due to its involvement in an illicit oil-shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations and for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. The US administration has not identified the vessel but Bloomberg reported that officials described the ship as a "stateless vessel" that had been docked in Venezuela. This is the first operation of its kind in years, with the last comparable seizure occurring in 2014.
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