U.S. Escalates Sanctions Enforcement Against Venezuela, Seizing 'Shadow Fleet' Oil Tankers

The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy, under President Trump's orders, are actively pursuing and seizing Venezuelan oil tankers to enforce sanctions and combat alleged drug trafficking by Maduro's regime.

These operations involve targeting vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, with at least three 'shadow fleet' tankers, including the Centuries and Skipper, already seized in international waters.

President Trump has consistently threatened Maduro's government, demanding the return of seized U.S. oil assets and justifying a naval blockade on sanctioned oil tankers to or from Venezuela.

Allied foreign ministers, U.S. lawmakers, and activists have criticized these U.S. actions, citing a lack of evidence for alleged drug trafficking and concerns over extrajudicial killings.

Venezuela's National Assembly is moving to criminalize activities related to oil tanker seizures, while Russia reportedly evacuated diplomats' families amid escalating U.S.-Russia tensions.