U.S. Says It Has Intercepted Another Oil Tanker Off Venezuelan Coast

UNITED STATES – The United States has intercepted an oil tanker in international waters off Venezuela. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the operation, days after President Donald Trump announced a blockade on sanctioned tankers entering or leaving the country.

Maritime Risk Firm Vanguard identified the ship as the Panama-flagged Centuries, intercepted east of Barbados. A video shared on Noem’s social media appeared to show a helicopter approaching the vessel, with the ship’s name visible on the hull.

Noem said the U.S. will continue targeting the illicit movement of sanctioned oil, calling it a source of narco-terrorism funding.

Venezuela has denounced the seizure as international piracy.

Vessel data placed the ship North of Curaçao last Friday, marking the second such interception near Venezuela in recent weeks.