The US has seized a Venezuelan oil tanker, the “Centurion,” in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, amid escalating tensions between the two countries. The tanker was carrying approximately 1.8 million barrels of crude oil destined for China, purchased by Sataw Tiziana Oil Trading, a company linked to Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA ¹.
China has condemned the US move, calling it a “serious violation of international law.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that Venezuela has the right to establish relations with other countries and that China opposes all forms of unilateral and illegal sanctions.
The US Coast Guard seized the tanker on Saturday, citing allegations of “false flag” and sanctions evasion. The White House claims the vessel was carrying sanctioned oil. Venezuela’s government has denounced the seizure as “international piracy”.
This move comes amid a significant US military buildup in the Caribbean, with deployments including advanced fighter jets, electronic warfare aircraft, and support tankers, as part of Operation Southern Spear, targeting Venezuela’s Maduro regime and drug cartels.