12/11/2025
The United States has carried out one of its most aggressive maritime enforcement operations in years — seizing a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The tanker, tied to a global sanctions-evading smuggling network linked to Iran and Hezbollah, was intercepted in a high-risk raid executed by the U.S. Coast Guard with federal support.
President Donald Trump ordered the mission, calling it part of his administration’s wide-ranging effort to stop illicit oil flows used to fund foreign terrorist organizations. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed multiple agencies were involved, including the Pentagon, FBI, and Justice Department.
Video released by federal authorities shows elite Coast Guard units descending from helicopters onto the ship’s deck. The vessel — the Skipper, previously known as the Adisa — has been under sanctions for years and is tied to offshore companies used to disguise illegal shipments.
Venezuela is condemning the seizure as an “act of piracy,” escalating regional tensions. U.S. officials, however, say the operation was lawful, targeted, and necessary to stop foreign networks that threaten American security.
The United States has carried out one of its most aggressive maritime enforcement operations in years — seizing a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The tanker, tied to a global sanctions-evading smuggling network linked to Iran and Hezbollah, was intercepted in a high-risk raid executed by the U.S. Coast Guard with federal support.
President Donald Trump ordered the mission, calling it part of his administration’s wide-ranging effort to stop illicit oil flows used to fund foreign terrorist organizations. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed multiple agencies were involved, including the Pentagon, FBI, and Justice Department.
Video released by federal authorities shows elite Coast Guard units descending from helicopters onto the ship’s deck. The vessel — the Skipper, previously known as the Adisa — has been under sanctions for years and is tied to offshore companies used to disguise illegal shipments.
Venezuela is condemning the seizure as an “act of piracy,” escalating regional tensions. U.S. officials, however, say the operation was lawful, targeted, and necessary to stop foreign networks that threaten American security.