Fri Dec 12 06:34:38 UTC 2025: Summary:
The Trump administration has intensified sanctions against Venezuela, targeting individuals close to President Maduro, including nephews of the first lady convicted on drug trafficking charges, as well as oil tankers and shipping companies involved in transporting Venezuelan crude oil. The US alleges these actions are aimed at combating Maduro’s “corrupt narco-terrorist regime.” The US has seized a Venezuelan oil tanker and plans to seize the oil cargo, a move condemned by Maduro as “piracy.” The US is also considering further interceptions of Venezuelan oil shipments, escalating tensions between the two nations.
News Article:
US Escalates Sanctions Against Venezuela, Seizes Oil Tanker
Washington – The Trump administration has significantly ramped up sanctions against Venezuela, targeting individuals connected to President Nicolas Maduro and taking direct action against oil tankers transporting Venezuelan crude. The move includes sanctions on three nephews of First Lady Cilia Flores, two of whom were previously convicted on drug trafficking charges in the US, as well as six oil tankers and related shipping companies.
The US Treasury Department accuses the targeted entities of engaging in “deceptive and unsafe shipping practices” that provide financial resources to what it describes as Maduro’s “corrupt narco-terrorist regime.” The sanctioned tankers, flagged by Panama, the Cook Islands, and Hong Kong, are reportedly supertankers recently loaded with crude oil in Venezuela.
Adding further pressure, the US seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast and intends to confiscate its cargo of 1.9 million barrels of oil. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the seizure will follow a legal process.
President Maduro vehemently condemned the seizure, calling it “an act of piracy” and accusing the US of seeking to steal Venezuelan oil. He vowed to protect Venezuela’s oil resources.
The sanctions also target a Panamanian businessman, Ramon Carretero Napolitano, accused of facilitating Venezuelan petroleum shipments, and Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, another nephew of the First Lady, alleged to be involved in corruption at the state oil company PDVSA.
The US has hinted at further actions, with sources indicating the possibility of intercepting additional ships carrying Venezuelan oil. Leavitt stated, “We’re not going to stand by and watch sanctioned vessels sail the seas with black market oil, the proceeds of which will fuel narcoterrorism of rogue and illegitimate regimes around the world.”
This latest escalation has sent oil prices higher and sharply intensified tensions between Washington and Caracas, raising concerns about the future of US-Venezuelan relations.
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