What to Know About Trump’s Seizure of an Oil Tanker Near Venezuela

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Edward Wong and Nicholas NehamasDecember 11, 2025 at 10:13 PM

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In December 2025, the U.S. government seized the oil tanker Skipper in the Caribbean Sea. The tanker was carrying Venezuelan oil from the state-owned company PDVSA and sailing under the flag of Guyana, though not registered there. U.S. officials suspect the ship of concealing its location and having links to Iranian oil smuggling, previously transporting oil to Syria and China. The seizure is part of President Trump's ongoing pressure campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. Treasury Department had previously sanctioned the ship in 2022 for supporting Hezbollah and the Quds Force. More seizures of tankers carrying Venezuelan oil are expected.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Petróleos de Venezuela 40% Venezuela ×250% Iran ×260% United States ×370% Nicolás Maduro ×280%

Keywords

oil tanker seizure 90% venezuelan oil 80% iranian oil 70% u.s. sanctions 70% oil smuggling 60% nicolás maduro 60% military pressure campaign 50% petróleos de venezuela (pdvsa) 40% state sponsors of terrorism 40%