Caracas, Venezuela – U.S. forces seized a large Venezuelan oil tanker called the Skipper off the coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea. Analysts consider this move a direct escalation against oil smuggling networks that have been supplying Cuba with vital crude.
US authorities confirmed that the tanker was carrying sanctioned oil shipments destined for an illicit network that included Cuba. The tanker was using techniques to evade maritime detection, including altering its positioning signals. US President Donald Trump declared the operation entirely legal and stated that the tanker and its cargo were under control. He also affirmed that Washington would continue to monitor illicit shipments.
Cuba relies heavily on Venezuelan oil to fuel its refineries and power plants. Venezuelan crude accounts for roughly half of the island’s needs. This makes the seizure of the shipment a direct blow to Cuba’s energy lifeline. A disruption to this vital oil supply threatens to directly impact electricity and other essential services.
Venezuela rejected the seizure, calling it an act of piracy and a blatant violation of its sovereignty. The Cuban government warned that the operation could disrupt vital services on the island. The United States asserted that the operation was part of its efforts to pursue oil smuggling networks and enforce legal sanctions. Further actions in the region are possible.
Analysts predicted that this seizure would disrupt Cuban supplies. Potential power outages and disruptions to essential services could occur. Regional tensions in the Caribbean could also escalate, and oil markets could be affected by the halt in Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba.
