U.S. Coast Guard Targets Venezuelan Oil Tanker as Senator Demands Revenue Control

Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., stated on Wednesday that the United States should “control the dollars that Venezuela gets from selling oil” as the U.S. Coast Guard moved to board a Venezuelan oil tanker reflagged as a Russian vessel.

Cassidy stated that U.S. efforts against Venezuela are aimed at preventing revenue from flowing to “crooks associated” with former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and directing oil money toward democratic and institutional reforms. He noted that if Maduro-aligned figures profit from tanker sales, they could continue to sustain a parallel government in Venezuela.

Cassidy acknowledged the risks involved in boarding operations but described the broader objective as limiting adversaries’ ability to use Venezuelan resources. He stated that Venezuela will ultimately cooperate because the administration intends to control the movement of oil exports.

“Now they’re going to try and sneak that oil out,” Cassidy added, emphasizing President Trump’s insistence on controlling where that oil goes.

Cassidy characterized U.S.-Venezuela activities as a national security concern due to collaborations between China, Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah in Venezuela, which fund operations against the United States. He also mentioned that Iran is manufacturing drones in Venezuela with a range capable of reaching the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Additionally, Cassidy referred to a bipartisan proposal he called “America’s Act,” designed to integrate Venezuela into a Western Hemisphere trading bloc. On a separate issue, he opposed any push for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, arguing that maintaining Greenland’s current status best supports U.S. national security and NATO unity.

“It’s better for the United States’ national security that Greenland keep its current status,” Cassidy said, citing NATO solidarity, an existing U.S. military base, and access to critical minerals.