US Deploys Special Forces and Helicopter to Seize Tanker Near Venezuela

The United States deployed special forces and a military helicopter to seize an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi released a video showing the boarding operation.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump also confirmed the seizure of the tanker, which had been under sanctions.

“We’ve just seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela – a big tanker, actually the biggest of all. And other things are happening as well,” Trump said.

The released footage shows American special forces boarding the oil tanker from an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter.

Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple… pic.twitter.com/dNr0oAGl5x

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) December 10, 2025

Their further actions are observed from another helicopter or a drone.

On the social media X, Pam Bondi stated that the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the U.S. military, executed a warrant to seize the tanker, which was transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.

She added that the seizure of the vessel was “carried out safely and successfully,” and that the investigation into the “transport of sanctioned oil” will continue.

Although the vessel’s official name has not been disclosed, the British company Vanguard reported that it is the tanker Skipper, which had previously been placed on the U.S. sanctions list for involvement in the Iranian oil trade.

The tanker departed from Venezuela’s main oil port of José between December 4 and 5, after loading around 1.8 million barrels of Merey heavy crude oil.

This is the first known seizure of such a vessel since the Trump administration began a large military buildup near Venezuela.

In November, the United States declared Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his government a terrorist organization.