U.S. seizes supertanker off Venezuela coast

The US intercepted another supertanker off the coast of Venezuela, sailing under the Panamanian flag and carrying about two million barrels of oil, reportedly on behalf of China. The crew did not include names from US sanctions lists, which effectively amounts to a total maritime blockade of Venezuela's trade routes. On December 10, the US had already detained another supertanker carrying a similar volume of oil—two million barrels. Under international maritime law, such actions can be classified as piracy.

Context

On December 10, 2023, the US had already detained a similar supertanker carrying two million barrels of oil.