Trump announces that the US has seized a “big, very big, the biggest” oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela / Oil prices immediately rose

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed information previously reported by sources according to which the United States has taken control of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, reports CNN.

“As you probably know, we just seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela,” Trump said. “A large, very large oil tanker, in fact the largest ever seized,” he added.

The US president did not offer any immediate explanation for this action, which will probably further escalate tensions with the South American country, notes CNN, quoted by News.ro.

Earlier, three officials told Reuters that the US had seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a move that sent oil prices soaring.

President Donald Trump has ordered a massive buildup of the US military presence in the region, including an aircraft carrier, fighter jets and tens of thousands of troops.

Officials cited by Reuters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the operation was led by the US Coast Guard. They did not mention the name of the tanker, the flag under which it was sailing or the exact place where the interception took place.

BREAKING: Trump just claimed the US has seized the largest oil tanker ever off the coast of Venezuela, and hinted that more things are happening that we'll find out about them soon.

What on earth is he talking about?

Is he now bragging about seizing foreign oil and preparing… pic.twitter.com/obYo77jR8b

— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) December 10, 2025

Crude oil is Venezuela's main resource

Oil futures rose on news of the vessel's seizure, after trading in negative territory earlier in the day. Global Brent crude futures were trading at $62.35 a barrel, up 41 cents, at 2:32 p.m. ET, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures settled up 21 cents at $58.46 a barrel, Reuters writes.

Venezuela exported more than 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil last month, the third highest monthly average so far this year.

Oil exports are Venezuela's main source of income. The country has been forced to significantly reduce the price of crude oil sold to its main buyer, China, due to increasing competition from sanctioned oil from Russia and Iran.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that Washington aims to topple him from power and take control of the OPEC member country's vast oil reserves.

Trump has repeatedly suggested the possibility of an American military intervention in Venezuela.

In a recent interview with Politico, Donald Trump suggested that Maduro's days are “numbered.”