Overview
- The Coast Guard-led boarding of the VLCC Skipper on Dec. 10 marked the first tanker seizure since the summer buildup, targeting a ship sanctioned in 2022 when it sailed as Adisa and linked by Treasury to owner Viktor Artemov and oil shipments tied to Iran’s IRGC and Hezbollah.
- Treasury followed with new penalties on Maduro-linked figures and six shipping firms for deceptive practices, expanding a sanctions push that officials say aims to cut off revenue from Venezuela’s oil trade.
- White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the seizure enforces sanctions policy and signaled similar operations could follow, as President Trump has said Maduro’s “days are numbered” and has not ruled out deploying U.S. forces to Venezuela.
- The action comes alongside a major U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and more than 20 lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats since September, with roughly 85 people killed and lawmakers demanding full, unedited strike footage for oversight.
- A new Data for Progress poll finds broad voter skepticism of bombing suspected drug boats and strong opposition to sending troops to remove Maduro, with most respondents prioritizing domestic issues and emphasizing compliance with international law.