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The United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela amid a monthslong buildup of military forces surrounding the country, President Trump confirmed on Dec. 10.
"As you probably know, we've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela," Trump said at a meeting at the White House.
"Largest one ever seized, actually. And other things are happening."
Trump declined to provide additional details about the tanker to reporters and said the administration would be releasing more information at a later time.
“You see the result, and I guess they probably released the pictures by now – pretty soon,” Trump said. “You’ll discuss that with the appropriate people later on.”
The president added, “It was seized for a very good reason.”
Asked by a reporter what happens to the oil on the tanker, Trump said: “You’re a good newsman. Just follow the tank.”
“I assume we’re going to keep the oil,” Trump said.
The vessel was under U.S. sanctions, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. The people said the cargo on board was owned by a businessman with ties to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and the boat was bound for Cuba, the people said.
The news was first reported by Bloomberg.
It comes after the U.S. has built up military forces around Venezuela for months in a pressure campaign by the Trump administration to remove Maduro.
U.S. Southern Command and the Pentagon referred USA TODAY to the White House for comment.
>https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/10/us-venezuela-oil-tanker/87704943007/
"As you probably know, we've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela," Trump said at a meeting at the White House.
"Largest one ever seized, actually. And other things are happening."
Trump declined to provide additional details about the tanker to reporters and said the administration would be releasing more information at a later time.
“You see the result, and I guess they probably released the pictures by now – pretty soon,” Trump said. “You’ll discuss that with the appropriate people later on.”
The president added, “It was seized for a very good reason.”
Asked by a reporter what happens to the oil on the tanker, Trump said: “You’re a good newsman. Just follow the tank.”
“I assume we’re going to keep the oil,” Trump said.
The vessel was under U.S. sanctions, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. The people said the cargo on board was owned by a businessman with ties to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and the boat was bound for Cuba, the people said.
The news was first reported by Bloomberg.
It comes after the U.S. has built up military forces around Venezuela for months in a pressure campaign by the Trump administration to remove Maduro.
U.S. Southern Command and the Pentagon referred USA TODAY to the White House for comment.
>https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/10/us-venezuela-oil-tanker/87704943007/
