Politics USA seizes tanker off the coast of Venezuela
The USA has taken control of a tanker off the coast of the South American country in the conflict with Venezuela. This was confirmed by US President Donald Trump. It was a very large tanker, the largest that had ever been seized, Trump said. Other things will happen, Trump announced, without giving details.
10.12.2025, 21:52
SDA
It was initially unclear what kind of tanker it was and under what flag it was flying. Several media reports referred to an oil tanker.
In recent months, the US military had mainly fired on and destroyed boats that were allegedly transporting drugs. Trump had repeatedly emphasized that he would not rule out operations on land. Most recently, in an interview with the news portal "Politico" on the question of an American ground invasion in Venezuela, he stated that he neither wanted to confirm nor rule out anything.
Maduro's days are numbered according to Trump
Trump also refused to answer the question of how far he would go to force authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro out of office. However, he emphasized: "His days are numbered." The US President accused Maduro of treating the Venezuelan people "terribly".
Trump has been toughening his tone and approach towards the South American country for weeks. The US has not only gathered additional soldiers in the Caribbean and deployed several warships to the region, including the world's largest aircraft carrier. Trump also authorized covert operations by the CIA foreign intelligence service in Venezuela.
