CARACAS / WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 21, 2025 – Tensions in the Caribbean have reached a boiling point following a pre-dawn operation by U.S. forces to seize a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The move, which the Maduro government has condemned as “theft and kidnapping,” marks a significant escalation in President Trump’s newly declared maritime blockade.
On Saturday, December 20, the U.S. Coast Guard, supported by the Department of War, intercepted and boarded the Panama-flagged vessel Centuries in international waters. This follows the high-profile seizure of the tanker Skipper on December 10, signaling that the U.S. “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned Venezuelan oil is now in full effect.
A “Pre-Dawn” Strike on the High Seas
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the operation on social media, sharing footage of helicopters surrounding the vessel. “The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco-terrorism in the region,” Noem stated. “We will find you, and we will stop you.”
While U.S. officials described the operation as a “consented boarding,” the Venezuelan government told a different story. In a fiery statement, Caracas rejected the “theft and kidnapping” of the private vessel and its crew, accusing the U.S. of “international piracy” and violating the principle of free navigation. President Maduro has since called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, vowing that these acts “will not go unpunished.”
Regional Stability at Stake
The aggressive enforcement of the blockade has sent shockwaves through South America, prompting an ominous warning from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Speaking from Brasília, Lula cautioned that U.S. military intervention could trigger a “humanitarian catastrophe” and destabilize the entire region.
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Brazil’s Stance: President Lula has offered to mediate the crisis, warning of a “fratricidal war” if the naval standoff continues to escalate.
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The “Oil Theft” Narrative: President Trump has justified the seizures by demanding that Venezuela return assets seized from U.S. oil companies years ago. “They took all of our oil… and we want it back,” Trump told reporters earlier this week.
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The Death Toll: The naval blockade coincides with a broader U.S. military campaign against alleged drug trafficking in the region, which has reportedly resulted in nearly 100 deaths since September.
The “Shadow Fleet” Immobilized
The impact on global energy markets is already being felt. Data from TankerTrackers.com indicates that at least 15 fully loaded tankers are currently immobilized in Venezuelan waters, refusing to sail for fear of U.S. interdiction. Analysts note a sharp decline in Venezuelan exports, with only vessels chartered by companies with specific U.S. authorizations, such as Chevron, currently moving through the region.
As U.S. warships—including the world’s largest aircraft carrier—patrol the Caribbean, the risk of a direct military confrontation between U.S. and Venezuelan naval forces remains at its highest level in decades.
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