America News Agency

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “We seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela. A big tanker, a very big one — actually the largest ever seized.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi, who released a video of the seizure, described the vessel as “a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.”

Caracas quickly condemned the action, calling it an act of “international piracy.” President Maduro had previously declared that Venezuela would never become a “petroleum colony.”

The Trump administration accuses Venezuela of attempting to smuggle drugs into the United States and has intensified efforts in recent months to isolate President Maduro.

Venezuela, home to some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, accuses Washington of trying to steal its resources.

On Wednesday, Brent crude prices rose slightly as news of the tanker seizure fueled short-term supply concerns. Analysts warn that the move could threaten shippers and further disrupt Venezuela’s oil exports.