^{Photo: Daily Sabah}

The United States has seized a major oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, marking one of the largest such operations in recent history. The vessel, identified as the Skipper, is a Guyana-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) loaded with 1.1 million barrels of oil in mid-November.

Trump described the tanker as “very large, the largest one ever seized actually” during a meeting in the White House Roosevelt Room, though he declined to specify the owner or intended destination, citing national security reasons.

According to Matt Smith, head U.S. analyst at energy consulting firm Kpler, the Skipper appeared to be heading toward Cuba but has remained offshore Venezuela since it was loaded. The tanker has been sanctioned by the U.S. for years due to its role in an illicit oil shipping network allegedly supporting foreign terrorist organizations.

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the seizure was executed by the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Pentagon. Bondi shared what appeared to be drone footage showing soldiers boarding the vessel from a helicopter. She emphasized that the operation was conducted safely and securely, and that investigations into the transport of sanctioned oil continue.

The seizure sent ripples through global oil markets. U.S. crude rose $0.70, or 1.2%, to $58.95 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed $0.71, or 1.15%, to $62.65 a barrel. Analysts said the move could make shippers more cautious about handling Venezuelan crude in the future.

Trump has intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in recent weeks, stating that Maduro’s “days are numbered” in an interview with Politico. He did not rule out a possible ground invasion of the South American nation, while the White House has also increased its military presence in the Caribbean and conducted strikes against vessels allegedly trafficking drugs to the U.S.

Venezuela, a founding member of OPEC, holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves. This year, the country is exporting approximately 749,000 barrels per day, with at least half of that going to China. U.S. imports from Venezuela are much smaller, totaling around 132,000 barrels per day.

The Skipper seizure is seen as a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to target Venezuelan oil shipments and signals a broader intent to disrupt revenue streams critical to Maduro’s government. Analysts warn that global shippers may increasingly hesitate to transport Venezuelan crude, potentially reshaping trade flows and tightening compliance with U.S. sanctions.