U.S. Coast Guard Pursues Third Sanctioned Oil Tanker Off Venezuela
The U.S. Coast Guard is actively pursuing a third oil tanker near the coast of Venezuela, according to a U.S. official speaking to CBS News. This operation is part of an intensified campaign against vessels believed to be connected to the Venezuelan government, aimed at enforcing sanctions. The pursuit, which occurred on Sunday, marks the second such operation within the weekend and the third in under a week.
U.S. officials indicated that the latest tanker is a “sanctioned dark fleet vessel” engaged in evading international sanctions against Venezuela. The official stated that the vessel is operating under a false flag and is subject to a judicial seizure order. While the specific location and name of the tanker remain undisclosed, this pursuit follows a pattern of recent U.S. actions against vessels linked to the Venezuelan regime.
Recent Seizures Heighten Tensions
On Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard executed a pre-dawn operation that resulted in the seizure of a Panama-flagged vessel named Centuries. This vessel was reportedly involved in similar activities as the tankers pursued over the weekend. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly characterized the Centuries as a falsely flagged vessel contributing to the trafficking of stolen oil, which funds the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The Venezuelan government condemned the seizure, labeling it as “a serious act of piracy.” In a statement, officials in Caracas declared that the U.S. government’s actions reflect a colonialist agenda that would ultimately be resisted by the Venezuelan people. They vowed to take appropriate measures, including bringing the matter before the United Nations Security Council and other international bodies.
U.S. Strategy Against Venezuelan Oil Exports
The recent actions come in the wake of President Donald Trump‘s call for a “total and complete blockade” on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. This strategy forms part of a broader effort to exert pressure on Maduro’s government. Last week, U.S. military forces also seized a sanctioned oil tanker shortly after it departed from a Venezuelan port.
According to Kevin Hassett, director of the White House’s National Economic Council, the two recently seized vessels were operating on the black market, supplying oil to countries under sanctions. He reassured U.S. citizens that these seizures would not significantly impact domestic oil prices, noting that the actions target only a few specific vessels.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s operations coincide with an increase in military actions against vessels accused of smuggling illegal drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States. Since early September, at least 104 individuals have lost their lives in 28 known strikes targeting such vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific regions.
As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Venezuela, the implications of these maritime pursuits extend beyond oil sanctions, touching on broader geopolitical dynamics in the region. The situation remains fluid, with further developments anticipated as U.S. authorities continue their enforcement efforts.
