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US Coast Guard pursues sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela
The United States is pursuing a tanker in international waters near Venezuela after it failed to comply with an attempted interception by the US Coast Guard, as Washington intensifies its crackdown on Venezuela’s oil trade.
A US official said the vessel, identified as Bella 1, was sailing towards Venezuela to load crude oil when Coast Guard personnel attempted to board it on Sunday. Instead of stopping, the tanker continued its voyage, prompting an active pursuit. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the operation is ongoing.
A second US official said the vessel is part of what Washington describes as a “dark fleet” used to evade international sanctions. The tanker is under US sanctions for alleged links to Iranian oil shipments and was operating under what officials described as a false flag, despite being subject to a judicial seizure order.
The pursuit follows a similar operation a day earlier, when the US Coast Guard intercepted the Centuries tanker in international waters off Venezuela’s coast. US officials said the ship was carrying Venezuelan crude destined for Asia.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the interception was carried out in a pre-dawn operation supported by the Department of Defense. She said the US would continue to target the illicit movement of sanctioned oil, which Washington claims helps fund criminal and terrorist activity in the region.
The latest actions come after President Donald Trump ordered a “complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, escalating pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The US has accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fuel instability, drug trafficking and irregular migration.
Venezuela has condemned the interceptions, describing them as a violation of international law and an attack on its sovereignty. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said Caracas would raise the matter at the United Nations and other international bodies.
China has also criticised the US actions, with a foreign ministry spokesperson saying the seizure of foreign vessels breaches international law and undermines lawful cooperation between countries.
Shipping analysts say the impact on global oil prices is likely to be limited, as most Venezuelan crude affected by the US actions is sold to China, where supplies are already ample.
