U.S. Coast Guard Pursues Venezuelan Oil Tankers Amid Sanctions

The U.S. Coast Guard is actively pursuing a third sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, according to multiple U.S. officials, as reported by CBS News and NBC News. This pursuit comes amid heightened tensions related to U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and its oil industry.

The latest vessel, identified as Bella 1, is allegedly part of Venezuela's dark fleet involved in sanctions evasion and was reportedly flying a false flag. Earlier this month, the Coast Guard seized two other oil tankers, including a Panama-flagged vessel named Centuries, during operations aimed at disrupting illegal oil trafficking linked to the Maduro regime.

The Venezuelan government condemned these actions as piracy, stating they would not go unpunished and threatening to escalate the issue to the United Nations Security Council. President Trump has expressed intentions for a total blockade against sanctioned oil tankers, which aligns with broader U.S. military actions in the region, including strikes against vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

Kevin Hassett of the White House's National Economic Council noted that the seized tankers were operating in the black market and assured that their removal would not significantly impact U.S. oil prices.

The situation remains fluid, with the Coast Guard continuing its operations in the Caribbean Sea as tensions escalate between the U.S. and Venezuelan authorities. As reported by The Guardian, Trump's administration has increased military presence in the region, and Maduro's government has indicated it will not back down, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical implications of U.S. sanctions and military actions.