U.S. Coast Guard Intercepts Tanker Laden with Venezuelan Crude

Panamanian‑flagged vessel not included on the U.S. sanctions list

The United States Coast Guard boarded a large oil tanker on Wednesday after detecting the ship in international waters off the coast of Guatemala. The vessel, which was sailing under a Panamanian flag, was carrying an estimated 2 million barrels of crude oil originating from Venezuela.

According to officials, the tanker was not on any of the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions lists, which meant the boarding was conducted under standard maritime security protocols rather than as a punitive measure. “We acted to ensure compliance with international shipping regulations and to verify the cargo’s provenance,” a Coast Guard spokesperson said.

While the ship’s flag state, Panama, confirmed that the vessel is properly registered, Venezuelan authorities have not yet commented on the interception. The U.S. government continues to monitor oil shipments from Venezuela, emphasizing its commitment to enforcing sanctions where applicable while respecting the rights of vessels not subject to those restrictions.

After a thorough inspection, the crew was allowed to resume their voyage, and the tanker is expected to reach its destination port later this week.