U.S. Intercepts Third Venezuelan Oil Tanker in Targeted Campaign Against Illicit Trade
By Solange Reyner
Monday, 22 December 2025 12:12 PM EST
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., said Monday that criticism from some Republicans over the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Venezuela misrepresents the scope and intent of U.S. actions in the region.
Appearing on Newsmax TV’s “National Report,” Steube addressed objections raised by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and others who warned increased enforcement against Venezuela could drag the U.S. into another foreign conflict. Steube argued those concerns echo past arguments that repeatedly failed to materialize.
“And you heard these same individuals, him and others, that have this issue of getting involved in foreign affairs when the president bombed Iran’s nuclear sites and everybody claimed that we were going to be in World War III,” Steube said. “Everybody claimed they were going to be in an armed conflict with Iran and we would have boots on the ground there, and that none of that came to fruition.”
Steube framed the administration’s actions as a targeted strategy rather than an open-ended military commitment. “We were able to strike targets deep in enemy area and do what we needed to do and get out,” he said.
Turning to Venezuela, Steube described it as a criminal state whose economy relies on illicit activity. “Venezuela is a state that makes its money off sanctioned oil and makes its money off drug trafficking,” he said, adding that drug trafficking has “killed 800,000 Americans since 2014.”
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reported on Saturday that the U.S. intercepted an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in international waters. The move follows President Donald Trump’s announcement of a blockade against sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. It marks the second time in recent weeks that U.S. forces have intercepted vessels near Venezuela amid America’s largest military buildup in the region.
Steube emphasized Trump’s approach prioritizes protecting Americans at home. “So we have a president that wants to keep Americans safe and secure,” he said. “Why would we not prevent the infiltration of dangerous drugs that has been killing Americans?”
He also stressed recent interdictions are backed by international law. According to Steube, vessels carrying sanctioned oil operate illegally and can lawfully be stopped. He cited a Panamanian-flagged tanker carrying Venezuelan oil as an example: “This is the third ship. … It is actually flagged Panamanian, but it’s not a Panamanian vessel.”
“The Panamarians have even said it’s not their vessel, which is illegal in international waters, just by the fact that it’s a false flag and can be interdicted,” Steube added.
Steube further identified a broader network involving “Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, and China” moving sanctioned oil globally. “And finally, we have a president that’s standing up against it.”
