Reuters, citing US officials, reported today that the US Coast Guard is pursuing a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of evading sanctions targeting Venezuela. Officials did not disclose the vessel's specific location or identity.
One official stated the tanker was flying a false flag and was subject to seizure. Another source confirmed that US Coast Guard personnel had not yet boarded the vessel, explaining that sanction enforcement can involve various methods, including close approaches by ships or aircraft.
The White House has not yet commented on the incident.
 |
US Coast Guard conducts boarding drills on an oil tanker in Michigan on 17/12. *Photo: MLive Michigan* |
UK maritime risk management company Vanguard, along with a US maritime security source, identified the pursued vessel as Bella 1. This large crude oil tanker was added to the US Treasury Department's sanctions list in 2024, accused of ties to Iran.
Data from the maritime tracking website Tanker Trackers indicates Bella 1 was not carrying cargo when it neared Venezuela on 21/12. The vessel had previously been accused of transporting oil from Venezuela to China in 2021 and carrying Iranian crude oil.
This incident marks the third time in three weeks that the US has pursued Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the waters near the country. The large tanker The Skipper, the first Venezuela-related vessel seized by the US on 10/12, has since been moved off the coast of Texas.
US President Donald Trump announced last week a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and exiting Venezuela.
Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council, stated that the first two seized vessels operated in the black market, supplying oil to sanctioned nations. He argued their impact on domestic oil prices was negligible.
Analysts suggest that the US focus on oil tankers will heighten geopolitical risks and could diminish Venezuela's oil revenue. Conversely, President Nicolas Maduro asserted that Venezuela's oil trade operations would continue.
 |
Location of Venezuela and the Caribbean Sea. *Graphic: Britannica* |
The US has recently intensified pressure on President Maduro's government, deploying numerous military assets to the region under the guise of anti-drug missions. Since September, US military airstrikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific have resulted in over 100 fatalities.
US forces near Venezuela currently include the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, at least 8 surface ships, a special operations support ship, an attack submarine, F-35 stealth fighters, AC-130 gunships, transport aircraft, drones, electronic warfare aircraft, search and rescue aircraft, and over 15,000 troops.
Maduro contends that this troop mobilization signals a US intent for regime change in Venezuela and a desire to "steal the country's land and minerals".
By Thanh Danh (Reuters)
