US Coast Guard Intercepts Oil Tankers Amid Venezuela Tensions

The U.S. Coast Guard has intensified its operations against oil tankers linked to Venezuela, reflecting escalating geopolitical tensions. Recently, the Coast Guard tracked and attempted to board the Bella 1, an oil tanker flying a false flag and linked to sanctions evasion, but the vessel did not submit to boarding.

This marked the second pursuit in a single weekend, following the seizure of another tanker, the Centuries, which was accused of transporting sanctioned oil for narcoterrorism purposes. U.S. officials, including Kevin Hassett from the White House, emphasized that these tankers had been operating illegally and would not significantly impact oil prices in the U.S.

However, the situation is evolving, with fears that such seizures could drive up oil prices globally as tensions rise. Former President Donald Trump recently declared a blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers associated with Venezuela.

In response to the U.S. actions, Venezuelan officials condemned the seizures as acts of piracy and theft, while President Maduro has urged his navy to protect oil shipments, further complicating the situation.

The U.S. has stated its commitment to halting the illicit movement of Venezuelan oil as part of a broader strategy to undermine the Maduro regime, which the Trump administration has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.