WILLEMSTAD – The United States is preparing to seize additional Venezuelan oil tankers operating in the Caribbean Sea, according to a report by Reuters. Washington has reportedly added several more vessels to its sanctions list, indicating a broader effort to intensify pressure on the Maduro government.
The development comes just days after U.S. forces intercepted and seized the supertanker The Skipper, which is now en route to the United States. U.S. Attorney General Bondi said the vessel had been used to transport oil originating from both Venezuela and Iran.
American authorities argue that The Skipper has ties to Iran and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant organization designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. This connection formed the basis for the tanker’s blacklisting and subsequent seizure.
In Caracas, the reaction has been sharp and defiant. The Venezuelan government condemned the operation as an act of “international piracy,” accusing the United States of deliberately targeting the country’s oil resources. Officials say the seizure exposes what they describe as Washington’s long-term intention to control Venezuela’s vast energy reserves.
The escalating tension comes amid growing concerns in the Caribbean region, where U.S. naval activity has increased substantially in recent weeks. Several Caribbean governments have already expressed unease over the implications of the mounting conflict between Washington and Caracas, especially as more vessels may soon be targeted.
For Curaçao and the wider ABC islands, located just off Venezuela’s coast, the situation is being closely monitored due to possible regional security and economic repercussions.