U.S. forces on Saturday intercepted an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela for the second time in less than two weeks, as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The operation, conducted in the early hours, follows Trump’s recent announcement of a “blockade” on all sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers and comes after the December 10 seizure of another tanker, the Skipper. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard, assisted by the Defense Department, stopped the Panama-flagged vessel Centuries, which had recently been docked in Venezuela. An unclassified video showed U.S. personnel boarding the tanker via helicopter.

Officials described the boarding as “consented,” with the vessel stopping voluntarily. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said Centuries was part of Venezuela’s shadow fleet, transporting stolen, sanctioned oil. However, maritime expert Dr. Salvatore Mercogliano noted that shipping databases suggest the tanker is properly registered, though it likely carried sanctioned oil.

Venezuela condemned the action, calling it “criminal” and vowing legal action, including complaints to the UN Security Council.

Trump has linked the blockade to U.S. oil investments seized by Venezuela in past decades and accused Maduro of drug trafficking, while U.S. forces have also targeted vessels alleged to smuggle fentanyl into the Americas. At least 104 people have been killed in 28 such strikes since September.

The Trump administration has deployed a significant naval presence to the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, warning of potential further actions to pressure Maduro, who has dismissed U.S. operations as an attempt to force him from power.

Source: AP