In a bold move, President Donald Trump announced that the US plans to keep or sell oil seized from Venezuelan tankers, along with the vessels themselves. Trump's declaration comes amid heightened efforts by Washington to pressure Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to step down. Addressing reporters in Florida, Trump confirmed, "we're going to keep it," suggesting possible uses for the oil, including selling or adding it to the Strategic Reserves.

 

This announcement follows the US military's recent seizure of two oil tankers off Venezuela's coast. The US has long accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fuel drug-related crimes, a charge that Venezuela dismisses as "piracy." As tensions rise, the US Coast Guard continues to track a third tanker, described as part of a Venezuelan "dark fleet" circumventing US sanctions. Trump expressed confidence in intercepting the ship, saying, "It's moving along, and we'll end up getting it."

 

Adding to the growing tension, the US military executed a strike on a suspected trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in one casualty. Trump hinted that the intent behind these seizures might be to unseat Maduro but left the decision open-ended: "That's up to him what he wants to do." In response to US actions, Nicolás Maduro criticised Trump's emphasis on international matters over domestic ones, advising that America should "focus on its own country's affairs."

 

The US has augmented its military presence in the Caribbean and Pacific, carrying out strikes on alleged Venezuelan smuggling boats without public evidence of drug transportation, raising congressional concerns. Trump also unveiled intentions to target land routes, warning smugglers of the severe consequences.

 

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is slated to convene at Venezuela's request to address "ongoing US aggression," reflecting deepening international discord. Venezuela's dependency on oil exports for public funding faces significant disruption, further inflaming relations. These actions underscore the complex geopolitical tensions surrounding US interventions and international oil politics, reported the BBC.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

• President Trump stated the US will keep or sell seized Venezuelan oil.
• Tensions heighten as the US increases military action and pursues tanker seizures.
• Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro urges focus on domestic US issues.

Related Stories:

US Seizes Second Oil Tanker Amid Venezuela Tensions

Trump Confirms Seizure of Oil Tanker Near Venezuela

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-24

 

 

 

Piracy

Trump's official portrait, if he is still president next year... 

https://thumbnailer.digitalnz.org/?resize=664%3E&src=https%3A%2F%2Fndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz%2FNLNZStreamGate%2Fget%3Fdps_pid%3DIE60729657

On 12/24/2025 at 10:57 AM, Emdog said:

Trump's official portrait, if he is still president next year... 

https://thumbnailer.digitalnz.org/?resize=664>&src=https%3A%2F%2Fndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz%2FNLNZStreamGate%2Fget%3Fdps_pid%3DIE60729657

Bad URL. Try again.

Blatant thievery. What else would you expect from this lot.

No point wasting it. 

 

What would the lefties prefer? Tip it in the sea?

 

 

19 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Blatant thievery. What else would you expect from this lot.

 

Yes, he's definitely a thief but anyone who knows the history of Venezuela knows they are a shady country. They sell oil to shady countries which the U.S. is trying to block. Look at the infrastructure of this oil rich country. Nothing to be proud of. Unfortunately, in this day in age, I think most all countries are shady in their own way. What a wonderful time to be living in...........NOT...pretty sad to be honest.

1 hour ago, fanof3d said:

Yes, he's definitely a thief but anyone who knows the history of Venezuela knows they are a shady country. They sell oil to shady countries which the U.S. is trying to block. Look at the infrastructure of this oil rich country. Nothing to be proud of. Unfortunately, in this day in age, I think most all countries are shady in their own way. What a wonderful time to be living in...........NOT...pretty sad to be honest.

Define "shady countries". I don't see anybody messing with the US. I only see the US poking its beak into others' nests. Spending American taxpayers' money to bully the rest of the world into believing they call the shots. "Infrastructure". In its present form, so you see anything to be proud about the USA??? GIVE THE OIL BACK!

Robbing people on the high seas is called piracy. Never planning to return it is robbing the people of Venezuela of their natural resources. Don't think this is the way of preventing drug smuggling. Drug makers don't get a share of oil money.

With a bit of luck the UN will proceed with all their legal 'remedy' against USA and that will result in Trump withdrawing the USA from the UN - the best thing that could happen to the world.  The UN will collapse without US funding and that would be the best thing for us all.  The UN can then be replaced with a cooperative of the top 20 Nations, as a means of keeping the diplomatic channels open to try and reduce conflicts, and for trade and other matters to be negotiated and discussed.  The UN has become it own 'regulatory authority' and is imposing its rules and laws upon member States on a far greater level than was agreed when the UN was formed after WW2 to replace the League of Nations.  Same Same for EU and NATO. 

 

The USA is not obliged to 'save' the World from itself using USA Taxpayers money via unelected and unaccountable organisations - it all needs to stop.  The UN has not stopped any wars since WW2 - they have not fulfilled their purpose as an independent arbitrator to negotiate and remediate any conflicts - the Ukraine War proves that.  What has stopped any large scale wars is MAD - Mutually Assured Destruction - not the UN. They are as useless as the Vatican who are also a self-serving organisation that preaches BS and practices exactly the opposite. The Pope has called for 'walls to be removed' and yet the Vatican is surrounded by a heavily guarded wall.  They are all BS and a waste of people's money - the sooner they are all removed the better.  

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

The UN can then be replaced with a cooperative of the top 20 Nations, as a means of keeping the diplomatic channels open to try and reduce conflicts, and for trade and other matters to be negotiated and discussed. 

In other words, shut out the rest of the world. Ignore their concerns. And America can just do WTF it wants, right? We've seen what happens when America's Presidents just do WTF they want. Iraq, Afghanistan, Central America, mindless support of Israel, creating hatred of Muslims (on behalf of Israel), now piracy on the high seas.. Millions of innocent lives lost on all sides and trillions of US tax dollars wasted resulting in no real gain for the United States. Just more dislike for a country that truly could be great - with the right leadership.

4 hours ago, Purdey said:

Never planning to return it is robbing the people of Venezuela of their natural resources

The oil was owned by Chinese traders.

 

China says US seizure of ships 'serious violation' of international law

 

BEIJING, Dec 22 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry on Monday said the United States' seizure of another country's ships was a serious violation of international law, after the U.S. intercepted a China-bound oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.

 

The crude was bought by Satau Tijana Oil Trading, one of many intermediaries involved in Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA's sales to Chinese independent refiners, the documents showed.

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-us-seizure-ships-serious-violation-international-law-2025-12-22

I wonder how would Trump respond if China sent warships to escort the next tanker bound for China. Another TACO?

9 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

In other words, shut out the rest of the world. Ignore their concerns. And America can just do WTF it wants

YES     YES     Within Reason - like killing Islamic Terrorists that have been killing Christians for years in Nigeria, and which the UN etc  have done nothing about - nor can they do anything anyway.  IMO when a majority of the new UN (current G20) - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK and USA - agree on a course of action, then that is it and that is what happens. USA, China, Russia, India, Japan and Germany being permanent members and having Veto powers - UK and France no longer having Veto.  

 

Illegals have been arriving in civilised western countries in the millions (especially Europe) for decades - and claiming to be 'refugees' in order to gain social welfare benefits under UN rules/laws. For a lot of them they plan over time build up their numbers and create an enclave of their own religion/culture - with their ultimate end game being to take over the whole country if possible - city by city.  They have been using all the legal means under the various UN Conventions and Treaties, and the legal systems in those civilised western countries, to achieve those short and long goals.  There is no viable solution to that and all the wrongs being committed, except by using force like in Nigeria, and withdrawing from the UN thereby cancelling all Refugee legal obligations under Treaties and Conventions.  Slowly but surely, the People of the western civilised countries are rebelling against what has been happening and against the woke left wing politicians who have been doing SFA about it and encouraging it - because when granted ID/residency they will vote left wing.  But first the People needed to see and accept that there is a problem - and In Australia the 'switch' has been hit big time ever since the Bondi massacre by Islamic Terrorists.  Trump is leading the way in politics - Americans first and screw the rest of the World - exactly as you said. All western countries are moving in that direction - the pendulum has been turning since Brexit and Trump being elected in 2016.  The 'rebounds' that have occurred (Biden, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ etc) have only proven to the People that woke liberal left wing Governments are a disaster and must be thrown out forever. Right wing nationalism and patriotism is making a comeback big time - because the alternative (we all become 3rd world) is unacceptable to civilised people who want to keep their cultures intact and their societies stable. Over time left wing politicians will reset and become more middle ground - but only after they dump their radical fanatical nutters and socialists. 

On 12/25/2025 at 10:31 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Define "shady countries". I don't see anybody messing with the US. I only see the US poking its beak into others' nests. Spending American taxpayers' money to bully the rest of the world into believing they call the shots. "Infrastructure". In its present form, so you see anything to be proud about the USA??? GIVE THE OIL BACK!

Don't disagree with you but again, I said IF you know the history of the country. I'm sure you can figure out what the word "shady" implies and which countries fall into that category. Either way, I don't disagree with you....just stating the obvious. They are all corrupt.

Return what was stolen. 

On 12/26/2025 at 11:56 AM, TroubleandGrumpy said:

The UN can then be replaced with a cooperative of the top 20 Nations, as a means of keeping the diplomatic channels open to try and reduce conflicts, and for trade and other matters to be negotiated and discussed…

 

The USA is not obliged to 'save' the World from itself using USA Taxpayers money.

Right. Let's just let the billionaires and corporations do what's best for us. I trust them implicitly, don't you?

 

Your last point is to the point. America should stay at home and fix its own problems.

On 12/26/2025 at 3:28 PM, jerrymahoney said:

The oil was owned by Chinese traders.

Only laterally, as it was sold to them - but seizing it because it came from Venezuela where the oil reserves and production are nationalized (owned by the people - not by corporations) means the seizure of Venezuela's nationalized oil, which it had sold some of to a Chinese intermediary. Venezuela is a Socialist country that nationalizes its natural resources like its huge oil reserves to fund social programs for its people. Chavez was probably a better leader than Maduro in that respect - but no need to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Of course we know what Trump and his backers want - they want the oil - the largest identified reserves in the world.

4 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Only laterally, as it was sold to them - but seizing it because it came from Venezuela where the oil reserves and production are nationalized (owned by the people - not by corporations) means the seizure of Venezuela's nationalized oil, which it had sold some of to a Chinese intermediary. Venezuela is a Socialist country that nationalizes its natural resources like its huge oil reserves to fund social programs for its people. Chavez was probably a better leader than Maduro in that respect - but no need to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Of course we know what Trump and his backers want - they want the oil - the largest identified reserves in the world.

 

I have a different take on what is actually going on. The US wants to end the Maduro regime. There's 2 competing camps on how to do that. Those that believe a direct, boots on the ground confrontation is the only way to get it, and those that want to give sanctions and blockade a chance to work.  

 

You can complain that Venezuela didn't attack the US, but that is merely your opinion. There are many who understand that it did. In particular, it developed the corrupt Smartmatic voting software and assisted in getting it integrated in US Dominion voting systems. That was later used to overthrow the legitimate government of the USA.  It was a declaration of war, even if the field of battle was cybercrime.  So far from piracy, this is spoils of a very real war.

 

With that understanding, the US has just proved that the era where it could effect change solely through sanctions and economic threats are over. There are more than enough countries willing to buy Venezuelan oil in currencies other than USD, and without engaging the Venezuelan military in a real shooting war, they can't strangle the flow of oil and bring the Maduro regime to its knees.

 

What does this mean? It means faction #2 in the military is going to be proven correct. A real, boots on the ground shooting war is the only way to defeat Maduro. And that isn't particularly good for anyone, as it will likely prove another front for battle in the coming kinetic phase of WW3. It also means the US is going to be engaged in its own war on the home front and NATO and Taiwan will be left to fend for themselves.

The point is to understand seizing and selling Venezuelan oil from tankers is merely the cream. It's not the primary goal driving this action by the US administration. The goal is the elimination of Maduro, and the uncovering of all the witnesses who participated in developing corrupt software used in election fraud (and that is global election fraud, not only in the USA). Only driving the Maduro regime, and all its remnants, from power will ultimately end the war.

 

And you can quote me on this: in the end the oil will remain the property of the Venezuelan people. (Although likely that oil will be sold in USD.)

On 12/25/2025 at 1:59 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Blatant thievery. What else would you expect from this lot.

 

Spoils of war. There is a difference. No different than the EU selling off seized Russian assets.

12 minutes ago, uncletiger said:

You can complain that Venezuela didn't attack the US, but that is merely your opinion. There are many who understand that it did. In particular, it developed the corrupt Smartmatic voting software and assisted in getting it integrated in US Dominion voting systems. That was later used to overthrow the legitimate government of the USA.  It was a declaration of war, even if the field of battle was cybercrime.  So far from piracy, this is spoils of a very real war.

And here we are with the ridiculous Big Lie conspiracy theory again!  😆

 

BTW, the Smartmatic system has been used only in LA county in 2020. If your laughable conspiracy theory were not already debunked, that fact would definitely discredit your claim! 🤣🤣🤣

Add a Thief to his name.

57 minutes ago, uncletiger said:

You can complain that Venezuela didn't attack the US, but that is merely your opinion. There are many who understand that it did. In particular, it developed the corrupt Smartmatic voting software and assisted in getting it integrated in US Dominion voting systems. That was later used to overthrow the legitimate government of the USA

Oh dear you've really got the cult/Koolaid disease bad.......the supposed voting machine tampering has been disproven many times over and only the MAGAnuts still believe in it. Have another drink!

who said piracy is history, full flank ahead jack

1 hour ago, BarraMarra said:

Add a Thief to his name.

He already has had to pay back $2.1 million which he "misappropriated" (read stole) from a charity so a thief at least twice over.......and quite probably more!!

4 hours ago, candide said:

And here we are with the ridiculous Big Lie conspiracy theory again!  😆

 

BTW, the Smartmatic system has been used only in LA county in 2020. If your laughable conspiracy theory were not already debunked, that fact would definitely discredit your claim! 🤣🤣🤣

 

3 hours ago, xylophone said:

Oh dear you've really got the cult/Koolaid disease bad.......the supposed voting machine tampering has been disproven many times over and only the MAGAnuts still believe in it. Have another drink!

 

The Deep State

The Radical Left

The Democrats

The RINOs

The Globalists

 

All part of of the same faction that is about to be exposed and eliminated during the upcoming phase of this war. Nothing about what I said has been proven false or debunked. You simply choose to believe that because the TeeVee man said it and it fits with your bias.  But all of the above are the enemies of America, and their final defeat starts with removing Maduro from power.

 

You're free to be skeptical, but not to deny the truth when it finally comes out. Watch and see how events develop.

1 hour ago, uncletiger said:

 

 

The Deep State

The Radical Left

The Democrats

The RINOs

The Globalists

 

All part of of the same faction that is about to be exposed and eliminated during the upcoming phase of this war. Nothing about what I said has been proven false or debunked. You simply choose to believe that because the TeeVee man said it and it fits with your bias.  But all of the above are the enemies of America, and their final defeat starts with removing Maduro from power.

 

You're free to be skeptical, but not to deny the truth when it finally comes out. Watch and see how events develop.

Oh dear you've really got it bad and quoting "The Deep State" which is a direct translation of the Turkish phrase derin devlet, and which originated in Turkey in the 1990s and has no bearing on any faction of Govt or industry in the USA apart from the MAGAnuts, so it goes to show that you are a MAGA trumpie and one of his favourite people......he stated he likes "the poorly educated" and you fit the bill 100%. Have another drink of the Koolaid you poor man.

15 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

Add a Thief to his name.

Thief-in-Chief?

On 12/26/2025 at 12:59 PM, ronnie50 said:

In other words, shut out the rest of the world. Ignore their concerns. And America can just do WTF it wants, right? We've seen what happens when America's Presidents just do WTF they want. Iraq, Afghanistan, Central America, mindless support of Israel, creating hatred of Muslims (on behalf of Israel), now piracy on the high seas.. Millions of innocent lives lost on all sides and trillions of US tax dollars wasted resulting in no real gain for the United States. Just more dislike for a country that truly could be great - with the right leadership.

 

Pirates of the Caribbean .....in real life ,

 

regards Worgeordie