Overview
- A Justice Department, Coast Guard and FBI team boarded the VLCC believed to be Skipper in a fast‑rope raid, with officials calling it a stateless vessel long sanctioned for an illicit oil network linked to Iran and Hezbollah.
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the ship is being taken to a U.S. port under a forfeiture process and that authorities intend to seize the oil after interviewing crew and collecting evidence.
- Treasury announced sanctions on six shipping companies and six vessels for deceptive practices benefiting Maduro’s government, and officials did not rule out additional tanker seizures, with media reports indicating more interdictions are being prepared.
- Caracas denounced the seizure as international piracy, Cuba issued a condemnation, Russia’s Vladimir Putin voiced support for Maduro, the U.N. urged restraint, and Senator Dick Durbin questioned the operation’s legality.
- Oil prices rose modestly on the news and analysts warned of a deterrent effect on shippers, while Chevron said its Venezuela operations continue without disruption as the U.S. maintains a major regional naval deployment.