Video shows the moment the United States seized an oil tank off the coast of Venezuela amid a months-long buildup of American military forces surrounding the South American country.

The video, which was shared by Attorney General Pam Bondi on X, shows American helicopters hovering over the ship as service members climbed down ropes to board.

"For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations," Bondi said. "This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely ‒ and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues."

President Donald Trump confirmed the seizure during a meeting at the White House on Dec. 10.

"As you probably know, we've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela," Trump said. "Largest one ever seized, actually. And other things are happening.”

Following Trump’s remarks, Bondi also confirmed in a statement that the FBI and other federal agencies, with support from the Pentagon, executed a seizure warrant for the crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.

See the video here

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video shows moment Venezuelan oil tanker seized by American forces

Reporting by Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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