On Wednesday, Venezuela denounced the U.S. seizure of a vessel near its coastline, labeling it an “act of international piracy.”
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela vehemently condemns and rejects what amounts to outright theft and an act of international piracy, which was publicly declared by the U.S. president who admitted to the seizure of an oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea,” the administration stated in an announcement.
The announcement, released by Correo del Orinoco—a government-controlled media organization that frequently publishes Venezuela’s official statements—portrayed the confiscation as component of a wider offensive targeting the nation’s sovereignty and natural assets.
Attorney General announced that a collaborative mission involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, backed by the Department of War, carried out a seizure order for a crude oil vessel that was purportedly utilized to ship sanctioned petroleum from Venezuela and Iran.
“For several years, the United States has sanctioned this oil tanker because of its participation in an illegal petroleum transportation network that aids foreign terrorist groups,” she posted on X. “This confiscation, executed near Venezuela’s coast, was performed safely and securely—while our probe together with the to halt the movement of sanctioned oil proceeds.”
Bondi issued of the mission depicting a helicopter closing in on the massive vessel and special operations officers descending via rope onto the ship’s deck.
President announced the confiscation on Wednesday during a roundtable discussion at the White House with corporate executives.
“As you’re likely aware, we’ve just captured a tanker on the . A huge tanker, extremely large, actually the biggest one ever taken,” Trump informed journalists. “Furthermore, additional developments are underway. So you’ll witness those later, and you’ll discuss them later with other individuals.”
“The confiscation was carried out for a very legitimate purpose,” he subsequently remarked.
When a journalist inquired about the fate of the petroleum on board the vessel, Trump replied: “Well, we’ll retain it, I suppose.”
Moments afterward, he stated, “I presume we’re going to retain the oil.”