The US military has seized its seventh oil tanker linked to Venezuela, continuing its aggressive campaign to control the country’s oil flows. The latest apprehension, which occurred in the Caribbean, involved the tanker Sagitta, and was made without incident, according to the US Southern Command. This marks another step in the United States’ monthlong initiative to enforce President Donald Trump’s directive to block oil exports from Venezuela, a country facing immense political and economic turmoil.
In mid-December 2025, Trump ordered a total blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela’s ports. The United States has since ramped up efforts, deploying nearly a dozen warships and thousands of troops to monitor the Caribbean, with the goal of preventing the export of Venezuelan oil that does not comply with US sanctions. The Sagitta was apprehended as part of this broader operation, underscoring the US’s commitment to ensuring that any oil leaving Venezuela is done so lawfully and under US supervision.
This campaign to control Venezuela’s oil resources has drawn global attention and criticism. While the US justifies the actions as necessary to curb illegal oil exports and support the opposition against the regime of President Nicolás Maduro, many countries and analysts have condemned these actions as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. This mounting international tension highlights the precarious balance between US foreign policy goals and the risks of escalating conflict in the region.
One of the central objectives of the US in its Venezuelan strategy is not only to halt illegal oil exports but also to take control of Venezuela’s oil reserves, which hold one of the world’s largest supplies of crude oil. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has emphasized that the US plans to market and control Venezuela’s oil indefinitely, with a broader aim of rebuilding the country’s oil industry under a $100 billion plan.
Meanwhile, Venezuela has been vocal in rejecting the US’s intervention, particularly the seizure of oil resources. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that the country has received $300 million from the sale of Venezuelan crude by the US, part of an estimated $500 million in total revenue, aimed at stabilizing the country’s foreign exchange market. Despite these efforts, Venezuela continues to face significant challenges, with political instability and a deepening economic crisis.
Additionally, the controversy surrounding US actions extends to more than just the oil sector. A recently altered map shared on President Trump’s social media accounts depicted Venezuela as a US territory, which was swiftly rejected by the Venezuelan government. This further strained relations and added to the growing backlash against US involvement in the country’s internal affairs.
The ongoing oil seizure operations, combined with the potential involvement of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, signal the US’s continued focus on Venezuela. Trump has expressed interest in involving Machado in some capacity to support opposition efforts, but no specific details about her potential role have been revealed.
