US Seizes Tanker, Sanctions Halt Venezuela Oil Exports

• Venezuela's oil exports have plummeted after the US seized an oil tanker and imposed new sanctions on shipping companies.
• The US seizure of the Skipper tanker is the first capture of Venezuelan oil cargo since 2019 sanctions.
• Threats of more seizures have left approximately 11 million barrels of oil and fuel stranded in Venezuelan waters.
• Only US oil giant Chevron, with government authorization, is currently exporting Venezuelan crude to the US.
• The US actions, including the tanker seizure, are part of military pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Why It Matters: US sanctions and tanker seizures are crippling Venezuela's oil exports.