US Coast Guard Tracks Sanctioned Oil Tanker Near Venezuela Amid Rising Tensions

The US Coast Guard is pursuing another oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, marking the second such action over the weekend and the third within a week, as Washington intensifies pressure on Venezuela’s oil sector. US officials said the vessel is subject to sanctions and is suspected of evading restrictions imposed on oil shipments linked to the country.
Officials described the operation as an active pursuit in the Caribbean Sea, following the seizure of another tanker a day earlier. The vessel, identified as Bella 1, is under US sanctions for alleged ties to sanctioned networks and was reportedly sailing under a false flag. Despite attempts by US forces to board it, the tanker continued its voyage, and the situation remains ongoing.
The actions follow President Donald Trump’s declaration of a “blockade” targeting sanctioned oil tankers traveling into or out of Venezuela. US authorities say the seized vessels were operating illegally and supplying oil through black-market channels. While officials have sought to reassure domestic markets about limited price impacts, analysts warn the escalating standoff could heighten geopolitical tensions and influence global oil prices.