U.S. Coast Guard Chases Sanctioned Oil Tanker Near Venezuela as Washington Steps Up Pressure

BY COMFORT OGBONNA

The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, marking what could become the second such interception this weekend and the third in less than two weeks, according to U.S. officials. The latest operation underscores Washington’s intensified effort to crack down on vessels accused of helping Venezuela bypass international sanctions.

A U.S. official said the Coast Guard is actively tracking a sanctioned vessel believed to be part of a so-called “dark fleet” used to evade restrictions on Venezuela’s oil trade. The official said the tanker is allegedly flying a false flag and is subject to a judicial seizure order, although it has not yet been boarded. Interceptions, the official added, can take multiple forms, including close surveillance by ships or aircraft rather than immediate boarding.

Authorities declined to disclose the exact location of the operation or formally name the vessel involved. However, maritime risk analysts and a U.S. maritime security source identified the tanker as Bella 1, a very large crude oil carrier that was added last year to the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions list due to alleged links to Iran.

According to vessel tracking data, *Bella 1* was empty as it approached Venezuelan waters on Sunday. The tanker has a long history tied to sanctioned oil movements. Records indicate it transported Venezuelan crude to China in 2021 and previously carried Iranian oil, highlighting its role in routes frequently scrutinized by U.S. authorities.

The White House did not immediately comment on the latest pursuit. The operation follows a major announcement last week by U.S. President Donald Trump, who declared what he described as a “blockade” on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.

The move is part of a broader pressure campaign aimed at Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which has included an expanded U.S. military presence in the region and a series of strikes on vessels operating near Venezuela in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Officials say those operations have resulted in at least 100 deaths.

Earlier this month, the U.S. seized its first Venezuela-related tanker, the *Skipper*, a very large crude carrier detained on December 10. The vessel arrived on Sunday at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area near Houston, where its cargo can be transferred to smaller ships. Due to their size and deep draft, very large crude carriers cannot transit the Houston Ship Channel and typically offload oil offshore.

Kevin Hassett, director of the White House’s National Economic Council, said the first two seized tankers were operating on the black market and supplying oil to countries under sanctions. He sought to reassure U.S. consumers that the seizures would not drive up domestic fuel prices, describing the vessels involved as limited in number and outside legitimate global supply channels.

Oil markets reacted cautiously to the latest developments. In early Asian trading on Monday, Brent crude futures rose 42 cents, or about 0.7%, to $60.89 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 37 cents, also roughly 0.7%, to $56.89 per barrel. Analysts said traders are weighing whether the stepped-up enforcement signals a broader escalation that could put additional Venezuelan oil barrels at risk.

Some market observers warned that even limited seizures could heighten geopolitical tensions. Analysts noted that the tanker intercepted on Saturday was reportedly not under U.S. sanctions, raising concerns about the scope of future actions. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said last week that the country’s oil trade would continue despite U.S. pressure, but experts caution that the renewed focus on tankers could quickly disrupt exports.

Energy analysts say the impact could be swift if vessels are delayed or seized. Falling export volumes would cause storage tanks in Venezuela to fill more rapidly, potentially forcing production cuts by the OPEC member. Such constraints would further strain Venezuela’s oil revenues at a time when the country is already grappling with economic challenges, while also adding another layer of uncertainty to global energy markets.