Trump says oil tanker seized for 'good reason'
White House: 'Shadow vessel' violated sanctions
By: Cybele Mayes-Osterman
and Josy Garrison
USA Today
..... The United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela a months-long buildup of military forces surrounding the country, President Donald Trump confirmed December 10. [2025]
.....
"As you probably know, we've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela," Trump said at a meeting at the White House. "Largest one ever seized, actually. And other things are happening."
..... Trump declined to provide additional details about the tanker to reporters and said the administration would be releasing more information at a later time.
.....
"You see the result, and I guess they probably released the pictures by now - pretty soon," Trump said. "You'll discuss that with the appropriate people later on."
..... The president added, "it was seized for a very good reason."
..... The vessel was under U.S. sanctions, according to three people knowledge of the matter. They said the cargo on board was owned by a businessman with ties to Venezuelan President Nicloas Maduro, and the boat was bound for Cuba. the people said.
..... The news was first reported by Bloomberg.
..... It comes after the United States has built up military forces around Venezuela for months in a pressure campaign by the Trump administration to evermore Maduro.
..... U.S. Southern Command and the Pentagon referred USA Today to the White House for comment.
.....
Separately, the U.S. military has launched 22 strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, at least 87 people, including some Venezuelans.
..... Critics have called the strikes, which have not been approved by Congress, illegal and said they amount to extra-judicial assassinations.
..... Trump and his officials have said Maduro is the leader of a criminal enterprise called Cartel de los Soles.
..... Experts have told USA Today that Cartel de los Soles is a loose network of corruption and not a real drug trafficking organization.
..... Maduro and other top Venezuelan officials were indicted on drug trafficking and corruption charges in 2020.