Earlier this month, the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela for the first time since the start of its aggression against the government in Caracas.
Donald Trump confirmed the seizure to reporters at the White House, escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas.
Using US forces to seize an oil tanker is highly unusual and marks the latest push by the Trump administration to mount pressure on Venezuela’s government.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi shared a video of US troops executing a seizure warrant on the crude oil tanker.
The footage shows a helicopter hovering just a few feet above the ship as forces quickly descend on ropes.
Watch: Moment US seizes oil tanker
The troops dressed in camouflage uniforms can be seen storming across the deck, armed with large firearms, before pointing their weapons at a door and entering.
The video, likely recorded from another helicopter, also shows forces running upstairs to the bridge as others move throughout the superstructure of the ship.
Bondi confirmed that the FBI, Homeland Security, US Coast Guard, and Department of Defence were involved.
The US Coast Guard team included elite forces trained in high-risk boarding from the Maritime Security Response Teams, which specialises in maritime counterterrorism and counternarcotics, according to two US officials.
Active-duty US military soldiers were also involved in the seizure. Although they were not permitted to board the tanker as they were deployed on Title 10 (active duty) orders, they aided with overhead surveillance and helicopter transport, the officials said.
