Unsealed warrant details U.S. seizure of sanctioned tanker near Venezuela
U.S. forces seized The Skipper — a 332–333 meter tanker formerly known as Adisa and sanctioned in 2022 for links to an IRGC/Hezbollah oil network — in a helicopter-borne, fast-rope boarding led by the Coast Guard MSRT with Navy support from USS Gerald R. Ford; a federal seizure warrant signed Nov. 26 by Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui and obtained under a statute permitting seizure of assets tied to planning or perpetrating federal terrorism offenses was unsealed and shows the vessel was taken just before the warrant expired. The Skipper was carrying roughly 1.8–2 million barrels of heavy crude (about half alleged to belong to a Cuban state importer), U.S. officials say the cargo will be subject to forfeiture and brought to a U.S. port, and Venezuela has denounced the move as “piracy.”
📌 Key Facts
- The vessel was identified as M/T The Skipper (formerly Adisa/The Toyo), a roughly 20‑year‑old, ~332–333 meter tanker that the U.S. Treasury sanctioned in 2022 for links to an IRGC/Hezbollah oil network; ownership/control is linked to Nigeria‑based Thomarose Global Ventures LTD and to sanctioned Russian magnate Viktor Artemov.
- Cargo details: The tanker had loaded about 1.8–2.0 million barrels of heavy crude in early December and transferred roughly 200,000 barrels just before the seizure; PDVSA documents say about half the cargo belonged to a Cuban state oil importer; reporters and officials estimated the cargo’s value at tens of millions of dollars (widely reported roughly $60–$100 million).
- The boarding was led by the U.S. Coast Guard under U.S. law‑enforcement authority with U.S. Navy support from USS Gerald R. Ford — launched around 6 a.m. via two helicopters and a fast‑rope insertion by the Coast Guard MSRT, with tactical support reported (videos released by AG Pam Bondi show fast‑roping and armed personnel).
- A federal seizure warrant behind the action was signed Nov. 26 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui and was unsealed afterward; reporting says the Skipper was taken just before the warrant was set to expire.
- DOJ language and senior officials said the warrant was obtained under a statute allowing seizure of assets engaged in planning or perpetrating federal terrorism‑related crimes; other officials stressed the action rested on sanctions designation and civil forfeiture authority rather than wartime maritime or armed‑conflict powers.
- U.S. leadership framed the operation as part of wider sanctions enforcement and counterdrug/counterterrorism efforts — FBI and DHS officials touted continuing enforcement; the White House said The Skipper will be taken to a U.S. port and the U.S. intends to forfeit the oil subject to legal proceedings; President Trump called it the 'largest one ever seized' and indicated the U.S. would keep the oil.
- Venezuela condemned the seizure as 'international piracy' and 'brazen robbery,' vowed to take complaints to international bodies, and President Nicolás Maduro escalated rhetoric; Venezuelan opposition figures praised U.S. pressure and urged other governments to act against illicit funding to the regime.
- Analysts say the case signals a broader U.S. crackdown on the maritime 'shadow fleet' that evades sanctions — investigators found AIS‑spoofing and improbable tracking (The Skipper showed a false zigzag near Guyana while actually seized near Venezuela) — and noted the last comparable U.S. tanker seizure was 2014’s MV Morning Glory.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
How Trump changes the world
"A critical, big-picture take arguing that recent actions — exemplified by the U.S. seizure of a sanctioned tanker off Venezuela — reflect a fast, risky remaking of American foreign policy that pairs aggressive regional militarization with transactional engagements with rivals, sidelining allies and producing deep global uncertainty."
📰 Sources (12)
U.S. unseals warrant behind oil tanker seizure near Venezuela
New information:
- A newly unsealed federal seizure warrant shows the M/T Skipper was taken just before the warrant was set to expire.
- The warrant was signed Nov. 26 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui.
- Axios cites DOJ language indicating the warrant was obtained under a law allowing seizure of assets engaged in planning or perpetrating federal crimes of terrorism.
- FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division will continue sanctions enforcement and touted the seizure as imposing costs on Venezuela and Iran.
Seizure of rogue oil tanker off Venezuela signals new U.S. crackdown on shadow fleet
New information:
- Windward analysis shows The Skipper spoofed AIS with an improbable zigzag track near Guyana; it was actually seized ~360 nautical miles to the northwest near Venezuela.
- Experts (Windward, Vortexa) say the operation signals a broader U.S. crackdown on the ‘shadow fleet’ smuggling oil for Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, raising operators’ risk from fines to loss of hulls.
- AP estimates the seized cargo as “tens of millions of dollars” in crude and notes the vessel’s size at 332 meters (1,090 feet).
- Context: OPEC data cited that Venezuela’s oil output has risen ~25% over the last two years, despite sanctions, via dark-fleet tactics.
Why the US could snatch a Venezuelan tanker — and not under ‘wartime’ authority used in cartel strikes
New information:
- A senior administration official told Fox News the sanctions designation and civil forfeiture warrant are the sole legal basis for seizing the Skipper, not armed‑conflict authority.
- AG Pam Bondi said investigators executed a federal court warrant off Venezuela’s coast with Coast Guard assistance, framing the action as straightforward sanctions enforcement.
- Legal expert Julian Ku noted that if the Skipper was stateless or fraudulently flagged, that status would strengthen U.S. authority to seize the vessel on the high seas.
- Article contrasts two frameworks: domestic sanctions/forfeiture for the tanker versus asserted wartime authority for separate maritime strikes on suspected drug‑trafficking boats.
Maduro sings, dances and threatens to 'smash the teeth' of the 'North American empire'
New information:
- Maduro publicly escalated rhetoric at a rally, brandishing Bolívar’s sword and saying Venezuela must be 'ready to smash the teeth of the North American empire.'
- Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry issued a detailed statement calling the tanker seizure 'a brazen robbery' and 'international piracy,' comparing it to the loss of Citgo Petroleum and alleging the U.S. aims to take Venezuelan oil.
- Caracas said it will take complaints to international bodies and urged Venezuelans to remain firm in defense of sovereignty.
- Article notes Trump personally announced the seizure and cites AG Pam Bondi stating the tanker was transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
Noem says seizure of oil tanker off Venezuelan coast linked to U.S. antidrug efforts
New information:
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem testified that the tanker seizure is linked to the administration’s counterdrug efforts against Maduro’s regime.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said DOJ obtained a warrant because the vessel was known for carrying sanctioned 'black market' oil and stated the U.S. 'does intend to get the oil.'
- Trump said of the oil aboard: 'Well, we keep it, I guess.'
- Noem claimed the operation prevented 'lethal doses of cocaine' from entering the U.S. (no quantities provided).
- Contextual same‑day steps: the administration imposed sanctions on three of Maduro’s nephews; Kremlin readout said Putin reaffirmed support for Maduro amid rising tensions.
US set to seize tens of millions in Venezuelan oil after tanker interception, White House says
New information:
- White House says The Skipper will be taken to a U.S. port and the U.S. intends to seize the oil, subject to a legal forfeiture process.
- Leavitt says a full investigative team is on the vessel conducting interviews and seizing evidence.
- Cargo specifics refined: tanker loaded ~1.8 million barrels earlier in December and transferred ~200,000 barrels just before seizure.
- Estimated cargo value pegged at roughly $60–$100 million based on current oil prices.
- White House frames actions under Operation Southern Spear and reiterates dual goals: stopping drug flows and enforcing sanctions against Maduro’s regime.
Venezuelan Nobel laureate credits Trump for pressuring Maduro with ‘decisive’ actions
New information:
- Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado publicly linked the tanker seizure and other U.S. measures to a significant weakening of Maduro’s regime.
- She urged foreign governments to move beyond statements and take action to cut off illicit funding to the regime.
- She avoided stating whether she supports a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.
Venezuela accuses US of 'piracy' after seizing massive oil tanker
New information:
- President Trump publicly called it 'the largest one ever seized' and suggested the U.S. would keep the oil ('I assume we’re going to keep the oil').
- AG Pam Bondi stated on X that a seizure warrant was executed by a joint team including the FBI, HSI, and U.S. Coast Guard with support from the Department of War.
- Bondi released unclassified video showing a helicopter insertion and tactical personnel fast‑roping onto the tanker.
- Venezuela issued a formal communiqué calling the action 'an act of international piracy' and 'blatant theft,' reiterating its sovereignty claims.
Trump says the U.S. has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela
New information:
- Trump publicly confirmed the seizure, calling it the 'largest one ever seized' and saying 'we keep it, I guess.'
- A U.S. official said the Coast Guard led with Navy support, launching the boarding via helicopter from USS Gerald R. Ford under U.S. law-enforcement authority.
- The tanker carried about 2 million barrels of heavy crude; roughly half of the cargo belongs to a Cuban state-run oil importer, per PDVSA documents.
- The vessel departed Venezuela around Dec. 2 and was previously known as M/T Adisa, which was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022.
- Venezuela’s government condemned the action as 'international piracy' and a theft of national resources.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi posted video showing fast-roping and armed Coast Guard personnel moving through the ship’s superstructure.
Bondi shares heart-pounding footage of US seizing Venezuelan oil tanker in rare action last seen in 2014
New information:
- Navy confirmed to Fox News that 15% of U.S.-deployed Navy ships are currently in the Caribbean region.
- On-the-record quotes amplifying the operation’s goals: FBI Director Kash Patel said efforts to cut off foreign terrorist organizations will continue 'day and night'; DHS Secretary Kristi Noem warned 'there is no place on land or sea' to hide from U.S. enforcement.
- President Trump characterized the tanker as the 'largest one ever seized' and hinted at additional forthcoming actions.
- Article reiterates the recent strike tally (22 maritime strikes; ~87 killed) and notes the administration is weighing potential land operations to increase pressure on Maduro.
- Comparative context: notes the last widely publicized U.S. military seizure of a foreign oil tanker was in 2014 (MV Morning Glory) under President Obama.
What we know about The Skipper, the oil tanker seized by the U.S. near Venezuela
New information:
- Identifies the vessel as The Skipper (formerly Adisa/The Toyo), a 333-meter, 20-year-old tanker sanctioned by Treasury in 2022 for links to an IRGC/Hezbollah oil network.
- Operation specifics: launched around 6 a.m. Wednesday from USS Gerald R. Ford; used two helicopters and a fast-rope boarding by the Coast Guard MSRT with support from 10 Marines and 10 Coast Guard personnel.
- Led by the U.S. Coast Guard under authorities requiring Coast Guard lead; Navy provided support.
- AG Pam Bondi posted a 45-second video on X and said a seizure warrant was executed; she alleged the tanker transported sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
- Ownership/management details: controlled by Nigeria-based Thomarose Global Ventures LTD; linked to sanctioned Russian magnate Viktor Artemov.