Letter: Reader disputes claims about Trump tanker seizure
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To the Editor-
Jason Rosin’s letter to the editor dated December 12, 2025 is totally false. President Trump seized the Venezuelan Oil Tanker LAWFULLY.
President Trump directed the seizure of the Venezuelan tanker Skipper (formerly Adisa) under a sealed federal court seizure warrant, executed by the US Coast Guard, FBI, and Homeland Security, to confiscate its oil, which was being transported in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran and Venezuela’s illicit oil networks, specifically targeting shipments supporting groups like Hezbollah.
Key Details of the Operation:
- Authority: A federal court warrant allowed the seizure of the vessel and its cargo, following established maritime law.
- Agencies Involved: The operation involved the U.S. Coast Guard, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and support from the Pentagon.
- Reason: The tanker was involved in a “shadow fleet” smuggling sanctioned Iranian and Venezuelan oil, violating U.S. Treasury sanctions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah.
- Vessel Identity: The Skipper had previously been sanctioned as the Adisa in 2022 and was flagged as Guyana’s, but digitally manipulated its location to appear off Guyana’s coast.
- Trump’s Announcement: President Trump announced the seizure, calling it a major escalation in pressure on the Maduro regime, with the oil intended for a U.S. port for legal processing.
Mr. Rosin, I suggest you do some research before submitting a blatantly false letter and misinforming others. Your TDS is showing.
Steve Donarski
Stevens Point