The operation, which took place in the early hours of the morning, involved a US military helicopter flying over the Panama-flagged Centuries, east of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea. The tanker, which was carrying a cargo of Venezuelan crude oil, was intercepted by the US coastguard and taken into custody. The move is the latest development in a long-standing dispute between the US and Venezuela over the country's oil exports.

According to Secretary Noem, the US will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco-terrorism in the region. "We will find you, and we will stop you," she wrote in her post on X. The US has been enforcing a naval blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers since President Trump's order in November, aimed at preventing the country from exporting its oil to other countries.

The seizure of the Centuries is the second such operation in recent weeks, following the interception of the Panama-flagged tanker, the Fortaleza, in November. The move has been widely condemned by Venezuelan officials, who have denounced the US actions as "theft and hijacking." The country's foreign minister, Carlos Faria, called the seizure "a clear act of aggression" and vowed to take action against the US.

The US has been imposing sanctions on Venezuela's oil exports since 2019, citing the country's human rights record and allegations of corruption. The sanctions have had a significant impact on the country's economy, with many oil tankers being forced to divert their routes to avoid US waters. The US has also been working with other countries in the region to enforce the blockade and prevent the illicit movement of Venezuelan oil.

The seizure of the Centuries is likely to have significant implications for the global oil market, with many analysts predicting a rise in oil prices in the coming weeks. The move has also sparked concerns about the potential for further conflict in the region, with many experts warning of the risks of escalation.

The US coastguard has taken the Centuries into custody and is currently investigating the vessel and its cargo. The tanker is expected to be taken to a US port for further examination and processing. The US has not yet announced any plans to release the tanker or its crew.

In a statement, the US Department of State said that the seizure of the Centuries was a "clear demonstration of the US commitment to enforcing its sanctions on Venezuela's oil exports." The department also warned that any country or entity that continues to engage in the illicit movement of Venezuelan oil will face "serious consequences."