In a significant escalation of pressure on the Venezuelan government, United States President Donald Trump has declared that America will keep the crude oil and tankers it has seized off the coast of Venezuela. The announcement came as a U.S. naval pursuit of another vessel continued for over 24 hours.
Trump's Stern Warning and Naval Buildup
Speaking from Palm Beach, Florida, President Trump issued strong warnings to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. He confirmed that the ongoing pursuit of the oil tanker identified as Bella 1 would end with its seizure. “It’s moving along and we’ll end up getting it,” Trump stated, linking the ship to Venezuela.
This action is part of a broader U.S. naval buildup in the Caribbean, described by Trump as an overwhelming force. “We have a massive armada — the biggest we’ve ever had, and the biggest we’ve ever had in South America,” he warned, adding a direct threat to Maduro: “If he plays tough, it’d be the last time he’s ever able to play tough.”
Seizure of Assets and Strategic Goals
President Trump made it clear that the United States has no intention of returning the confiscated resources. “We’re going to keep it,” he said regarding the seized oil, noting it could be added to the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. “We’re keeping the ships also,” he added.
While Trump declined to explicitly state that forcing Maduro from power was the ultimate goal, he strongly suggested the Venezuelan president should step down. “It would be smart for him to step aside,” Trump remarked, emphasizing that the decision rests with Maduro himself.
Targeting Venezuela's 'Shadow Fleet'
The targeted tanker, Bella 1, is believed by U.S. officials to be part of a “shadow fleet” used to transport oil from sanctioned nations. Authorities revealed a warrant had been issued for its seizure.
This incident is not isolated. Earlier in December 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted the tanker Centuries in international waters for carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil. In a previous action in December, the tanker Skipper was also seized over its links to Iran.
These interceptions form a critical part of the Trump administration's renewed strategy to cripple Venezuela's oil revenues, applying intense economic and military pressure on the government in Caracas as Washington challenges Maduro's hold on power.
