The warrant, signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui on November 26, authorized the Trump administration to seize the vessel until December 10, 2025. This operation marks the first seizure of a Venezuelan oil cargo under U.S. sanctions that have been enforced since 2019.
The Skipper had departed from Venezuela's primary oil port of Jose between December 4 and 5, after loading approximately 1.8 million barrels of Venezuela's Merey heavy crude oil.
The Trump administration asserts the M/T Skipper was utilized to transport sanctioned oil originating from both Venezuela and Iran.
"The seizure of this vessel highlights our successful efforts to impose costs on the governments of Venezuela and Iran," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement issued on Friday.
Sources familiar with the matter have indicated that the United States is preparing to intercept additional ships carrying Venezuelan oil.
Despite the warrant's release, the accompanying affidavit detailing the evidence for the seizure remained heavily redacted. Judge Faruqui noted that other documents related to the case will remain under seal temporarily.
This week's seizure, which the Venezuelan government condemned, represents the latest escalation in rising tensions between Washington and Caracas.
In recent months, the U.S. has conducted several strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels in the region—a policy that has drawn criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and legal experts.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested the possibility of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, as the United States continues to bolster its military presence in and around the Southern Caribbean.
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Source: REUTERS