Seized Supertanker Skipper Headed to Houston After U.S. Operation Near Venezuela

The oil supertanker Skipper, seized by the United States near the coast of Venezuela earlier this week, is now heading to Houston, Texas, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The seizure forms part of Washington’s intensified pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, aimed at enforcing U.S. sanctions on Venezuela’s oil exports. U.S. authorities allege the vessel was involved in transporting crude in violation of international sanctions imposed on Caracas over democratic backsliding and human rights concerns. The operation marks a significant escalation in U.S. enforcement actions at sea, coming amid heightened tensions between Washington and Venezuela’s government. Venezuela has previously condemned such seizures as acts of economic aggression, while global energy markets have closely monitored developments due to concerns over potential supply disruptions. The Skipper’s arrival in Houston is expected to trigger legal proceedings as U.S. officials determine the tanker’s cargo status and ownership under sanctions law