U.S. military seizes Chinese oil tanker Century.

On December 20, 2025, U.S. Special Operations Forces boarded and took control of the oil tanker Century, owned by Hong Kong Century Shipping Company, via helicopter fast-rope insertion over international waters in the Caribbean Sea. The vessel was carrying 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude oil at the time. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) explicitly stated that this operation was authorized under U.S. domestic law, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and relevant executive orders, with the aim of enforcing sanctions against the Maduro regime in Venezuela. No prior notification or on-site negotiation was conducted before the operation, as intelligence indicated the vessel was involved in a transportation network evading sanctions.

The declared route of the Century is from the port of Jose, Venezuela, to a refinery base in Jieyang City, Guangdong Province, China. This base is one of the few facilities in China capable of processing Venezuelan heavy crude oil on a large scale. Venezuelan naval vessels escorted the ship to the edge of its exclusive economic zone before returning. The U.S. military action occurred after the Venezuelan navy disengaged.

This operation marks the second incident within 12 months. On December 10, 2025, another oil tanker, the Skipper (carrying 1.1 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil), was intercepted. Its cargo was subsequently transferred to a refinery in Houston, Texas, USA, and was civilly forfeited in accordance with U.S. judicial procedures. Similar to the Century operation, this action was also based on a sanctions evasion investigation.

On the day following the detention of the Century (December 21), Chevron Corporation, under a specific license issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, loaded 500,000 barrels of crude oil from Venezuela. The U.S. government emphasized that such limited and strictly regulated licenses are intended to maintain global energy market stability and are aligned with the broader strategy of promoting Venezuela's democratic transition. This approach is fundamentally different from covert shipping activities that violate sanctions.

Possible reasons

Senior U.S. government officials acknowledged in a briefing that they are monitoring the rising trend of RMB settlement in trade between China and Venezuela (citing an external report claiming 65%). However, the U.S. side believes the dominance of the U.S. dollar is based on the fundamental strength of the U.S. economy and the transparency of its financial system. The U.S. views the oil-for-loans model in China-Venezuela oil trade and infrastructure cooperation as an effort to consolidate the Maduro regime and potentially undermine the effectiveness of sanctions. The core objective of the U.S. interception of the Century vessel is defined as: cutting off the Maduro regime’s illicit revenue, maintaining the effectiveness of the sanctions system, and preventing it from using energy trade to perpetuate authoritarian rule.

Regarding the accusations made by Venezuela, Cuba, and other countries at the United Nations Security Council (such as being worse than pirates and engaging in maritime terrorism), the U.S. representative to the United Nations refuted them as false propaganda and emphasized that U.S. actions are aimed at defending the sanctions regime under the framework of international law, which itself enjoys broad international support. The United States believes that the lawsuit filed by Venezuela with the International Court of Justice lacks legal basis and is a political maneuver. As for Venezuela's alignment with Iran, the U.S. Department of State described it as sanctioned regimes banding together for mutual support and warned that it would closely monitor any cooperation aimed at evading sanctions.

Reactions from other countries

The United States has taken note of the condemnations from China and Russia regarding U.S. actions on platforms such as the United Nations and BRICS. The U.S. interprets the positions of China and Russia as attempts to safeguard their own geopolitical and economic interests in Venezuela and to provide diplomatic cover for what it considers an illegitimate regime. The United States rejects accusations of so-called unilateral bullying or long-arm jurisdiction, insisting that its actions are firmly grounded in both domestic and international law.

Regarding media reports on China's adjustment of shipping strategies (such as rerouting to the east coast of South America, increasing the proportion of land pipeline transportation to 30%, and altering fleet registration information), U.S. officials stated that this precisely demonstrates that the sanctions are producing the intended effects, raising the costs and complexity of circumventing sanctions. The United States will continue to monitor relevant developments and adjust enforcement strategies as appropriate.

Follow-up U.S. Deployment and Institutionalization Measures: This week, the U.S. Department of Defense has deployed additional military resources, including special operations aircraft, personnel, and equipment, to the Caribbean region to enhance maritime awareness and law enforcement capabilities. Additionally, the Pentagon has authorized the U.S. Coast Guard to establish floating checkpoints in the international waters of the Caribbean Sea to board and inspect suspicious vessels traveling to and from Venezuela. The international waters transfer zone established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security off the coast of Houston is now operational, aimed at handling seized non-compliant oil cargoes in accordance with the law and safely.

The United States acknowledges the decision by shipping insurance organizations such as the UK P&I Club to suspend new policies for routes involving Venezuela in the Caribbean, viewing it as a reflection of commercial entities' rational assessment of sanction risks. The U.S. emphasizes that its actions have clear objectives, targeting only vessels that violate sanctions, and is committed to ensuring the safety and freedom of legitimate shipping. The Maduro regime is currently facing internal pressure over people's livelihoods. The U.S. strategy involves sustained economic and diplomatic pressure to prompt a change in regime or compel a return to genuine democratic elections. The United States considers its strategy of waiting for change as a necessary means to ultimately resolve the crisis in Venezuela. While viewing the rule-based countermeasures and financial breakthroughs promoted by China and Russia as long-term challenges, the U.S. believes that the inherent advantages of the dollar and the American financial system will enable effective management of these challenges.

The United States reiterates that its actions are not aimed at the legitimate energy needs of China or any other country, but specifically target behaviors that undermine democracy in Venezuela and harm U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives. The United States calls on all nations to cooperate in supporting the democratic will of the Venezuelan people and upholding the seriousness of the international sanctions system.