The latest vessel, identified as the Panama-flagged Centuries carrying approximately 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey crude bound for China, was apprehended in a pre-dawn operation. Notably, this tanker was not on the US sanctions list, marking an escalation beyond Trump's stated policy targeting only sanctioned vessels.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez issued a strong condemnation, calling the seizure "theft and hijacking" and a "serious act of international piracy." She stated that Venezuela rejects these actions and will pursue remedies, including complaints to the United Nations Security Council and other international forums.
On the US side, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the operation on social media, describing it as an effort to combat the "illicit movement of sanctioned oil" funding "narco-terrorism." She emphasized that the tanker had last docked in Venezuela and that such actions would continue.
This is the second such incident this month. On December 10, US forces seized the sanctioned tanker Skipper, carrying about 1.8 million barrels of oil, prompting Trump's blockade announcement shortly afterward.
The seizures have sharply reduced Venezuelan oil exports, with many loaded tankers remaining anchored in Venezuelan waters to avoid risks. Venezuela views Trump's policies as aggressive bullying aimed at regime change, while the US frames them as enforcement of sanctions and a fight against drug trafficking.
How far this standoff will escalate remains to be seen.
Sajjadsli Nayani✍🏼
