The United States has imposed new sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's relatives and companies involved in the country's oil transportation after confirming the seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast and plans to transport it to a US port.
The US Treasury announced on Thursday that it had sanctioned three relatives of President Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, as well as six companies accused of shipping Venezuelan oil in violation of US sanctions.
The White House stated that the tanker, which was intercepted by US forces in the Caribbean, would be transported to the United States and its oil seized. US officials stated that the operation was intended to disrupt an illicit oil shipping network linked to the Venezuelan government.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told lawmakers that US forces conducted a helicopter raid on the vessel as part of efforts to combat what Washington claims is narcotics trafficking by President Maduro's administration.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Mr Maduro and his associates of profiting from drug trafficking, a charge the Venezuelan government has repeatedly denied.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi released a video of armed US personnel descending from a helicopter and entering the tanker's bridge. Ms Bondi stated that the vessel had been used to transport sanctioned oil.
Venezuela's foreign ministry condemned the seizure as an act of "international piracy". Speaking at a public event, Mr Maduro accused the US of theft and stated that Venezuela would take steps to protect its oil shipments around the world.
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, expressed concern about rising tensions and urged all parties to exercise restraint in order to prevent further destabilisation of the region.
According to US media reports, the tanker was on its way to Cuba when it was stopped by the US Coast Guard.
The move comes as part of a broader US pressure campaign against Venezuela, which includes a naval presence in the region and strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
Senior US Democratic Senator Dick Durbin questioned the legality of the tanker seizure, warning that military action without congressional authorisation could constitute an act of war.
The Trump administration accuses Mr Maduro of leading the so-called "Cartel of the Suns", which the US designated as a narco-terrorist organisation last month. It has also offered a reward of up to $50 million for information leading to Mr Maduro's arrest.
Mr Trump has stated that Mr Maduro's "days are numbered" but has not ruled out military action. The US government claims that Mr Maduro's re-election in July 2024 was illegitimate, an accusation denied by Venezuelan officials.
Mr Maduro has accused Washington of plotting regime change and targeting Venezuela in order to seize control of its vast oil reserves.
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