Trump says US has received 80m barrels of Venezuelan oil; 3rd tanker seized
Al Jazeera
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
US forces have seized a third oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Indian Ocean, while President Donald Trump announced that the US has received over 80 million barrels of Venezuelan oil. The seizure came after weeks of tracking the tanker, named Bertha, which was carrying 1.9 million barrels of Merey 16 crude. This latest capture follows two previous seizures and highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela over oil resources.
The situation escalated earlier this year when US special forces conducted a raid in Caracas, abducting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump has since praised the growth of the US oil industry, which he attributes to policies like "drill, baby, drill," and has opened Venezuelan oil reserves to major US companies such as Chevron and Exxon Mobil. This move has drawn criticism from activists who argue that it uses taxpayer dollars to benefit Big Oil.
The seizure of the tankers is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to assert control over Venezuela's oil resources, despite international condemnation. The Bertha was initially flagged to the Cook Islands but later operated under a false flag from Curacao and managed by a Chinese company. US forces tracked it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean before securing it.
This incident underscores the geopolitical stakes surrounding Venezuela's oil industry, which has long been a point of contention between the US and other global powers. Trump's aggressive approach has not only strained relations with Venezuela but also raised concerns about the broader implications for international trade and energy markets. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between fossil fuel extraction and the growing need for renewable energy solutions, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change.
The seizure of the tankers and Trump's oil-driven policies have sparked debates over US intervention in Venezuela and its impact on global energy security. As the administration continues to expand oil production domestically and abroad, including in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, questions remain about the long-term consequences for both the environment and international relations.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/25/2026