The United States’ 10 December 2025 seizure of an oil tanker, the M/T Skipper, carrying Venezuelan crude, has renewed diplomatic tensions with Caracas and drawn sharp criticism from Cuba, raising fresh questions about the evolving scope of U.S. enforcement actions in the region.
U.S. authorities have said the seizure was carried out under sanctions targeting Venezuela’s oil sector, marking a shift in focus from earlier maritime operations in the Caribbean that were often framed primarily as part of Washington’s counter-narcotics strategy.
Cuba, a close ally of Venezuela, condemned the action in strong terms, while the United States has maintained that the seizure was lawful and consistent with its sanctions framework.
The Seizure and Official Positions
International media reports identified the vessel as the Skipper, which was transporting Venezuelan crude oil at the time it was seized by U.S. authorities. U.S. officials said the action was linked to sanctions imposed on Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), first introduced in 2019.
Those sanctions restrict Venezuela’s ability to export oil and access international financial systems. U.S. authorities have stated that enforcement actions may be taken when shipments are alleged to be connected to sanctions violations, including efforts to circumvent restrictions through complex shipping or financial arrangements.
The U.S. government has emphasized that such actions are undertaken under domestic legal authority and, where applicable, judicial oversight. Officials have also noted that the sanctions regime includes licensing mechanisms that permit certain transactions under defined conditions.
Cuba’s Response
Cuba’s Foreign Ministry condemned the seizure, describing it as “maritime terrorism” and accusing the United States of unlawfully interfering with international shipping. In official statements carried by Cuban state media, Havana argued that the action undermines freedom of navigation and international trade.
Cuban officials presented these claims as their government’s position. The United States has rejected such characterizations, maintaining that its actions are lawful under its sanctions regime.
Cuba has longstanding political and economic ties with Venezuela, including cooperation in the energy sector. Venezuelan oil shipments have historically contributed to Cuba’s energy supply, heightening Havana’s sensitivity to disruptions affecting PDVSA exports.
A Shift in Emphasis
The seizure has drawn attention in the region because it follows years in which U.S. maritime operations in the Caribbean were frequently framed as part of an expanded campaign against drug trafficking. While counter-narcotics operations remain ongoing, the interception of an oil tanker highlights the growing prominence of sanctions enforcement as a driver of U.S. maritime actions involving Venezuela.
Analysts note that the change reflects broader U.S. policy priorities rather than a single operation, as energy sanctions have become a central feature of Washington’s approach to Caracas.
Regional Implications
The incident underscores continuing friction in U.S.–Venezuela relations and carries implications for the wider Caribbean, where energy security and trade are closely intertwined with geopolitical developments.
As the situation develops, governments in the region are likely to monitor how sanctions enforcement and maritime operations intersect, particularly as energy shipments increasingly become focal points in broader diplomatic disputes.
