Overview
- U.S. forces boarded the sanctioned VLCC Skipper off Venezuela on Dec. 10 in a Justice Department–supported operation, with the White House framing it as sanctions enforcement and signaling more seizures could follow.
- Treasury expanded penalties last week against associates of Nicolás Maduro, including three relatives of Cilia Flores, a businessman, six shipping companies, and their vessels for deceptive and unsafe shipping practices.
- Since early September, U.S. forces have conducted more than 20 lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, with roughly 85 deaths reported and Democratic intelligence leaders urging War Secretary Pete Hegseth to release unedited video of a Sept. 2 strike as Adm. Mitch Bradley briefs Congress.
- Analysts and commentators question the drug-control rationale and point to goals such as constricting Venezuelan oil revenue and countering Chinese, Russian, and Iranian influence, noting the Skipper’s prior ties to Iranian oil networks linked to Hezbollah and the IRGC.
- Polling shows majorities oppose sending U.S. troops or expanding military action, and members of both parties are pressing for clarity even as a large U.S. naval and air deployment remains in the Caribbean.