US Seizes Second Unsanctioned Oil Tanker Off Venezuela, Escalating Tensions

• US forces intercepted a second merchant vessel carrying oil off Venezuela's coast in international waters.
• The vessel, believed to be the Panama-flagged Centuries, was apprehended east of Barbados.
• Significantly, this second vessel was reportedly unsanctioned, indicating an escalation of the US blockade against Venezuelan oil.
• US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the "pre-dawn action," vowing to stop illicit oil funding "narco-terrorism."
• Tensions are high, with US President Donald Trump not ruling out conflict and Venezuela condemning the seizures as "international piracy."

Why It Matters: US seizure of an unsanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela marks a significant escalation in tensions.