On December 10, 2025, the U.S., through its Secretary of State, announced that it had intercepted a vessel transporting oil illegally from Venezuela and Iran, both of which are under international sanctions on oil trade.

Leaked footage on social media shows U.S. soldiers and two helicopters carrying out the attack on the ship.

President Donald Trump also told reporters that the U.S. had seized a large vessel off the coast of Venezuela.

The Venezuelan government immediately issued a statement condemning the U.S. action as theft of national property and illegal appropriation of its resources.

Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have escalated after President Trump launched attacks on Venezuelan ships, accusing them of transporting drugs.

The U.S. has also deployed warships near Venezuelan waters, which Caracas has denounced as colonial-style intimidation and terrorism aimed at overthrowing President Nicolás Maduro.