US Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tankers as Trump Confirms Full Blockade on Sanctioned Crude

The United States has escalated pressure on Venezuela by seizing two oil tankers in the North Atlantic, including one flying a Russian flag, marking a significant intensification of Washington’s enforcement of sanctions on Venezuelan crude exports. The move underscores the Trump administration’s determination to choke off revenue streams linked to sanctioned oil shipments and reinforce its broader geopolitical strategy in the region.

Confirming the operation, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that the blockade on Venezuelan oil was now fully operational. He described the seizure as part of a comprehensive effort to prevent sanctioned crude from reaching international markets, adding that enforcement actions would continue wherever violations were detected.

“The blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil is on and in full effect,” Hegseth said, signalling a no-tolerance approach to entities attempting to bypass US restrictions.

The seized tankers were reportedly intercepted during transit through international waters, highlighting Washington’s willingness to extend enforcement well beyond the Caribbean. One of the vessels was registered under the Russian flag, raising additional diplomatic sensitivities amid already strained relations between Washington and Moscow.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined a plan to monetise the confiscated oil. According to Rubio, between 30 and 50 million barrels of seized Venezuelan crude could be sold, with proceeds intended to benefit the Venezuelan population rather than the country’s political leadership.

The announcement aligns with the Trump administration’s narrative that sanctions are designed to target ruling elites while alleviating humanitarian suffering. However, critics argue that such measures often deepen economic distress on the ground by further restricting national revenue.

The seizure reflects President Donald Trump’s broader “America First” foreign policy doctrine, which emphasises economic pressure, strategic deterrence, and unilateral enforcement of national interests. Analysts note that Venezuela has become a test case for Washington’s evolving sanctions playbook, combining financial isolation, maritime enforcement, and military signalling.

The operation follows Washington’s earlier moves to tighten restrictions on Venezuela’s oil sector, which had already crippled exports and frozen access to international markets. By physically intercepting tankers, the US has taken sanctions enforcement into a more direct and confrontational phase.

The implications extend beyond Venezuela. Global energy markets are closely watching the developments, as the seizure of tankers in international waters could affect shipping insurance, freight routes, and risk assessments for vessels transporting sanctioned crude. The involvement of a Russian-flagged tanker has also added a geopolitical layer, potentially complicating maritime trade dynamics amid broader global tensions.

From Caracas’ perspective, the seizure is likely to be viewed as further evidence of economic warfare. Venezuelan authorities have repeatedly condemned US sanctions as illegal and destabilising, though no official response was immediately available following the announcement.

The move also reinforces the message that Washington is prepared to use naval and legal tools to enforce compliance, even far from US shores. Analysts suggest the operation could deter other actors from engaging in Venezuelan oil trade, accelerating the isolation of the country’s energy sector.

As the blockade tightens, questions remain over how seized assets will be managed and whether similar actions could be extended to other sanctioned energy producers. What is clear is that the seizure marks a decisive escalation, signalling that the Trump administration is prepared to back its sanctions regime with direct maritime enforcement.