Venezuela accuses US of 'piracy' after seizing massive oil tanker

Venezuela connected Wednesday condemned the U.S. seizure of a sanctioned lipid tanker disconnected its coast, calling it an "act of planetary piracy."

"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela powerfully denounces and repudiates what constitutes blatant theft and an enactment of planetary piracy, publically announced by the president of the United States, who confessed to the battle of an lipid tanker successful the Caribbean Sea," the authorities said successful an authoritative communiqué. 

The statement, published by Correo del Orinoco, a state-run quality outlet that regularly carries Venezuela’s authoritative authorities announcements, framed the seizure arsenic portion of a broader run against the country’s sovereignty and earthy resources.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said a associated cognition with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with enactment from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude lipid tanker that was allegedly being utilized to transport sanctioned lipid from Venezuela and Iran.

RETIRED GENERAL HAILS TRUMP'S 'HOLISTIC' CRACKDOWN ON VENEZUELAN DRUG TRAFFICKING AS SHOWDOWN ESCALATES

U.S. forces were seen entering the vas with guns drawn. (@AGPamBondi via X)

"For aggregate years, the lipid tanker has been sanctioned by the United States owed to its engagement successful an illicit lipid shipping web supporting overseas violent organizations," she said connected X. "This seizure, completed disconnected the seashore of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely—and our probe alongside the Department of Homeland Security to forestall the transport of sanctioned lipid continues."

Bondi released unclassified video footage of the cognition that showed a chopper approaching the ample tanker and tactical unit repelling down a enactment onto the deck.

Newly released footage shows U.S. forces securing a Venezuelan lipid tanker. (@AGPamBondi via X)

President Donald Trump made the seizure announcement connected Wednesday portion speaking astatine a roundtable lawsuit astatine the White House with concern leaders.

US BOLSTERS MILITARY PRESENCE IN CARIBBEAN NEAR VENEZUELA AMID TRUMP'S EFFORTS TO HALT DRUG TRAFFICKING

"As you astir apt know, we've conscionable seized a tanker connected the seashore of Venezuela. A ample tanker, precise large, largest 1 ever seized actually," Trump told reporters. "And, different things are happening. So you'll beryllium seeing that later, and you'll beryllium talking astir that aboriginal with immoderate different people."

President Donald Trump looks connected during a roundtable treatment successful the Roosevelt Room of the White House successful Washington, D.C., connected Dec. 10, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"It was seized for a precise bully reason," helium aboriginal added.

Asked by a newsman what would hap to the lipid aboard the tanker, Trump responded: "Well, we support it, I guess."

A abbreviated clip later, helium said, "I presume we’re going to support the oil."