In today’s episode of **What’s going on with BRICS**: Latest US Seizures of Venezuelan Oil Tankers – Escalating Pressure on Caracas.
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Coming to you today from Malaga, Spain.
### What’s in the News
1. **US intercepts second Venezuelan oil tanker in international waters**
- On 20 December 2025, US Coast Guard boarded the Panama-flagged VLCC *Centuries*, carrying ~1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey crude bound for China.
- Vessel Chinese-owned, not on US sanctions list at time of seizure, but White House claims cargo sanctioned as PDVSA oil and part of “shadow fleet”.
- Interception east of Barbados; video released by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem showing helicopter boarding.
- Venezuela gets an oil revenue hit which strains its economy and puts more pressure on its BRICS solidarity.
- The West tightens enforcement on Venezuela’s oil exports, reducing revenue for Maduro regime.
2. **First seizure recap and escalation**
- On 10 December 2025, US seized VLCC *Skipper* (previously sanctioned for Iranian ties, falsely flagged Guyana).
- Loaded ~1.8 million barrels Venezuelan crude; now off Texas for offloading.
- Followed Trump’s “total blockade” announcement on sanctioned tankers.
- Venezuela gets an oil revenue hit which strains its economy and puts more pressure on its BRICS solidarity.
- The West signals aggressive enforcement, deterring shadow trade.
3. **Third tanker in active pursuit**
- As of 21 December 2025, US Coast Guard pursuing third vessel (*Bella 1*), described as sanctioned dark fleet, flying false flag, under judicial seizure order.
- En route to load Venezuelan crude; history of sanction-evasion activities.
- Venezuela gets an oil revenue hit which strains its economy and puts more pressure on its BRICS solidarity.
- The West expands blockade scope, even to non-sanctioned vessels if cargo deemed illicit.
4. **Venezuelan response and export impact**
- Caracas calls seizures “theft” and “piracy”; vows UN complaints.
- Exports fallen sharply after first seizure – loaded tankers lingering in Venezuelan waters to avoid risk.
- Venezuela gets an oil revenue hit which strains its economy and puts more pressure on its BRICS solidarity.
- The West applies effective non-military pressure on Maduro, potential oil price support.
5. **Legality questions on non-sanctioned vessels**
- *Centuries* not vessel-sanctioned; Panama flag valid – experts question boarding legality in international waters without flag state consent.
- US justifies via cargo sanctions and shadow fleet claims.
- Venezuela gets an oil revenue hit which strains its economy and puts more pressure on its BRICS solidarity.
- The West tests limits of unilateral enforcement, potential diplomatic fallout with Panama/China.
6. **Strategic options for China and Russia**
- China condemned the seizures as violations of international law and “illegal interference”; could pursue UN complaints or reroute tankers via alternative paths.
- Russia, as Venezuela’s ally, has not commented directly but could offer diplomatic support or shipping alternatives through shadow fleet networks.
- No reported deal with Trump to stay out of the area; involvement could mean indirect overwatch via proxies or SCO coordination, but direct naval contributions unlikely to avoid escalation.
- Venezuela gets an oil revenue hit which strains its economy and puts more pressure on its BRICS solidarity.
- The West maintains pressure while monitoring for potential BRICS escalation in response.
