Tension rises between Venezuela and the US, Trump seizes oil tanker; Maduro warns “Will break your teeth”
Washington (The Uttam Hindu): Tension between the United States and Venezuela has increased further. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump ordered the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker. Responding strongly, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro warned the US that they would “break their teeth” if necessary. After this incident, the situation between both countries has become even more tense.
Trump said that American forces intercepted a large oil tanker near the Venezuelan coast and seized it on allegations of involvement in illegal activities. He did not share more details. According to US officials, members of the Coast Guard reached the tanker via helicopter from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and took control of it.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 10, 2025
U.S. soldiers have stormed and seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
It was used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan and Iranian oil. Trump says that the U.S. will keep the oil from the seized tanker. pic.twitter.com/5mRu9QkNw7
The US claims the tanker was part of a network violating sanctions and supplying oil to terrorist organizations. The ship was earlier known as M/T Adisa and had been under sanctions since 2022. Venezuela called the action “maritime piracy,” accusing the US of trying to control its oil resources. Officials said the tanker was carrying nearly 2 million barrels of heavy crude oil, a large portion of which was headed to Cuba.
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, and its economy depends heavily on oil exports. Due to strict US sanctions, Venezuela has been taking help from allies like Russia and Iran, who support oil smuggling through complex and secret routes.
Maduro alleged that the US wants to overthrow his government and said Venezuela is ready to respond if required. Trump hinted that more military action could follow, though he did not give clear details. Democrats in the US have criticized this growing military approach.