Nicolás Maduro, holding Simón Bolívar's sword and filmed singing and dancing at a rally, warned Venezuelans to be "ready to smash the teeth of the North American empire" as the U.S. announced it had seized an oil tanker accused of carrying sanctioned Venezuelan and Iranian oil. Caracas condemned the seizure as "international piracy" and vowed to bring the matter to international forums. The episode escalates tensions amid months of U.S. maritime operations that Reuters says have been linked to more than 80 deaths since September. President Trump said he has not ruled out deploying U.S. troops while leaving open the possibility of diplomatic talks.
Maduro Brandishes Bolívar's Sword, Dances and Vows to 'Smash the Teeth' of the 'North American Empire' as U.S. Seizes Tanker
Maduro issues a fierce warning after the U.S. seizes a tanker near Venezuela, triggering accusations of piracy and intensifying a rapidly escalating standoff.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro used a raucous rally — where video showed him singing and dancing to Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and brandishing the sword of independence hero Simón Bolívar — to warn citizens to be "ready to smash the teeth of the North American empire." His remarks came as the United States announced it had seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast, alleging the vessel was carrying sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
Maduro issues a fierce warning after the U.S. seizes a tanker near Venezuela, triggering accusations of piracy and intensifying a rapidly escalating standoff.
What Maduro Said
Speaking to supporters while holding Bolívar's sword, Maduro urged vigilance. "In these times, things have to be different, but we must always stand like warriors, women and men," he said in a translated interpretation. "With one eye wide open — and the other one too — ... and ready to smash the teeth of the North American empire if necessary, from Bolívar's homeland."
Maduro issued a warning after the U.S. seized a tanker near Venezuela, triggering accusations of piracy and intensifying a rapidly escalating standoff.
The U.S. Action
President Donald Trump announced the seizure and said U.S. authorities acted because the tanker was allegedly involved in transporting oil subject to U.S. sanctions. Attorney General Pam Bondi characterized the move as a response to the ship's suspected role in moving sanctioned fuel. The U.S. has also conducted months of maritime operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which officials say targeted vessels linked to drug-trafficking networks.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was questioned about the U.S. seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.
Caracas' Response
Venezuela's Foreign Ministry condemned the seizure as "a brazen robbery and an act of international piracy," accusing Washington of trying to take Venezuelan oil without payment and framing the incident as part of a longstanding effort to plunder the country's natural resources. The ministry compared the episode to Caracas' loss of Citgo and said the government would take complaints to all relevant international bodies to defend national sovereignty over energy assets.
"Venezuela will not allow any foreign power to attempt to seize from the Venezuelan people what belongs to them by historical and constitutional right," the government said.
Wider Context And Tensions
The seizure deepens an already tense standoff. Reuters has reported that more than 80 people have died since September in operations and clashes tied to maritime interdictions in the region, and separate reporting documents heightened surveillance and security measures in affected coastal communities. President Trump said he has not ruled out deploying U.S. troops to Venezuela to crack down on criminal networks allegedly linked to senior figures in Caracas, though he also said there remains the possibility of talks with Maduro.
The unfolding confrontation — over tanker seizures, sanctions and sustained maritime operations — has further strained U.S.-Venezuela relations. Fox News credited Efrat Lachter as a contributor to reporting on this story; Reuters reporting provided additional context on casualties and maritime operations.
