US forces seize seventh sanctioned tanker linked to Venezuela in Trump’s effort to control its oil

Post by : Saif Nasser

The United States has seized a seventh oil tanker linked to Venezuela, showing a sharp rise in Washington’s efforts to control the flow of Venezuelan oil. The latest action took place in the Caribbean, where US military forces boarded and took control of a vessel without resistance.

The tanker, named Motor Vessel Sagitta, was operating despite US sanctions. According to US Southern Command, the ship was moving in violation of a quarantine placed on sanctioned vessels by President Donald Trump. The operation was carried out smoothly, and no injuries or conflict were reported.

The Sagitta is a Liberian-flagged tanker owned and managed by a company based in Hong Kong. Records show that the vessel stopped sharing its location more than two months ago after leaving northern Europe. US officials believe the ship had loaded oil from Venezuela, even though such activity is restricted under US sanctions.

The tanker was already under US sanctions due to rules linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. US authorities say the seizure sends a clear message that oil leaving Venezuela must be done legally and under proper coordination.

This seizure is part of a much larger strategy by the Trump administration. Since the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month, the US has moved quickly to take control of Venezuela’s oil production, refining, and global sales. Officials argue that this approach will help rebuild Venezuela’s damaged oil industry and stabilize its struggling economy.

President Trump has openly said that the US plans to sell Venezuelan oil on the global market. He recently stated that the US has already taken 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela and expects to sell even more. According to Trump, these sales are helping to lower oil prices worldwide.

In recent weeks, US forces have seized several tankers near Venezuelan waters. One ship, known as Bella 1, was captured far from the region after changing course in the Atlantic Ocean. These actions show that US authorities are tracking sanctioned vessels across vast distances.

Supporters of the policy say the seizures are necessary to stop illegal oil trade and prevent sanctioned groups from earning money. They also believe the move could bring order to Venezuela’s oil sector after years of mismanagement.

Critics, however, warn that seizing foreign vessels could raise tensions and create legal challenges. They argue that such actions may lead to disputes with other countries and shipping companies.

For now, the Trump administration appears firm in its approach. The seizure of the seventh tanker highlights how central oil has become to US policy toward Venezuela, and it signals that more actions could follow in the coming weeks.