U.S. Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tanker as Caribbean Military Buildup Intensifies

The United States seized a Venezuelan oil tanker off the country’s coast on December 10, marking a sharp escalation in the Trump administration’s confrontation with President Nicolás Maduro’s government and adding new tension to an already heightened U.S. military presence across the Caribbean. The action, taken under Operation Southern Spear, immediately prompted condemnation from Caracas. President Donald Trump publicly announced the seizure during a meeting with business leaders at the White House, saying U.S. forces had taken control of the vessel and adding, “I assume we’ll keep the oil.” Officials say the tanker had been carrying crude destined for international markets before it was intercepted as part of the administration’s broader campaign targeting drug trafficking and narco-terrorism linked to Venezuelan officials. FBI Director Kash Patel said the vessel is known to be used to transport sanctioned oil from Iran and Venezuela. Attorney General Pam Bondi later confirmed the...