Venezuela has sharply condemned the United States after Washington seized a large oil tanker near the Venezuelan coast. Caracas labeled the move as 'theft' and 'international piracy,' accusing the U.S. of pursuing a deliberate plan to seize the country's energy resources. The Trump administration confirmed the operation, describing it as the largest tanker seizure to date, and hinted at further similar actions. In an official statement, the Venezuelan government alleged that the U.S. was abusing power in an imperialist manner, arguing that the long-running campaign against President Nicolás Maduro was not about democracy or human rights but about controlling Venezuela’s oil. A U.S. official told CBS News that the mission was conducted by the Coast Guard with naval and Marine support, under the supervision of the Pentagon. Venezuela vowed to raise the issue in international forums, calling it a serious violation of sovereignty. Analysts say the incident could further strain U.S.–Venezuela relations and complicate global oil diplomacy amid already tense geopolitical conditions.