Venezuela: Second Tanker Seized Amid Invasion Threats

 

In the second seizure within weeks, U.S. forces have intercepted a tanker near Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in the massive American military buildup currently unfolding in the region.

Vanguard, a British maritime risk management firm, identified the vessel as the Panama-registered "Centuries." The tanker was reportedly intercepted east of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea.

This action follows a forceful declaration by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, stating he has ordered a "total blockade of all sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuela." Since the first seizure last week, the blockade has effectively paralyzed maritime traffic; millions of barrels of oil remain in Venezuelan waters as crews refuse to sail, fearing further seizures.

The Crackdown on the "Shadow Fleet"
Since the U.S. imposed energy sanctions on Venezuela in 2019, the trade has shifted to a "shadow fleet" or "dark fleet." These vessels often obscure their locations and are frequently sanctioned for transporting oil from Iran or Russia. Shipping analysts warn that these fleets are now primary targets for U.S. enforcement.

The Centuries—which loaded its cargo in Venezuela under the alias "Crack"—is part of this dark fleet. According to internal documents from the state-run oil company PDVSA, the vessel was carrying approximately 1.8 million barrels of Merey crude destined for China.

Satellite imagery from TankerTrackers.com and company sources confirm the vessel departed Venezuelan waters on Wednesday after a brief escort by the Venezuelan Navy. The cargo was reportedly purchased by Satau Tijana Oil Trading, an intermediary facilitating sales to independent Chinese refineries.

Escalating Pressure and Market Impact
Data reveals the scale of the standoff: out of more than 70 shadow fleet tankers currently in Venezuelan waters, at least 38 are under U.S. Treasury sanctions, with 15 currently laden with crude or fuel.

China remains the top buyer of Venezuelan crude, accounting for roughly 4% of its total imports. Analysts estimate that December shipments were expected to average over 600,000 barrels per day. While the global oil market currently has sufficient supply, experts warn that a prolonged blockade—potentially removing nearly one million barrels per day—could drive global oil prices significantly higher.

Military Aggression and the Threat of Invasion
The Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign against President Nicolás Maduro has expanded beyond economic sanctions to include over 24 naval strike operations in the Pacific and Caribbean, resulting in at least 100 fatalities.

In a chilling escalation, Trump further signaled that "a U.S. ground offensive in the South American nation will begin soon."

In response, President Nicolás Maduro has denounced the military surge, claiming the U.S. objective is to orchestrate his ousting and seize control of Venezuela’s oil reserves—the largest in the world.