The US Coast Guard has initiated an active pursuit of a vessel in international waters near Venezuela, as confirmed by an official to CBS News. This development comes amid escalating tensions in the region, raising concerns about maritime security and international law enforcement.
In a significant move, US authorities have successfully seized two oil tankers this month, with one of the seizures occurring last Saturday. The latest pursuit is linked to a sanctioned vessel associated with Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion. A US official noted that the vessel is suspected of flying a false flag and is currently under a judicial seizure order.
Washington has accused the Venezuelan government of utilizing oil revenues to finance drug-related crime, while Venezuelan officials have characterized the seizure of their tankers as acts of theft and kidnapping.
Last week, US President Donald Trump directed a blockade against sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. This action underscores the heightened scrutiny and enforcement efforts by US authorities, particularly in a nation that boasts the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Venezuela has retaliated by accusing the Trump administration of attempting to steal its valuable resources.
As of now, the US has not officially confirmed the ongoing pursuit, and details regarding the specific location and name of the tanker remain undisclosed. Data from TankerTrackers.com indicates that over 30 of the approximately 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or en route to the country are currently under US sanctions.
In a notable incident on Saturday, a Panamanian-flagged tanker was boarded by a specialized tactical team in international waters. Interestingly, this particular ship is not listed among the sanctioned vessels by the US Treasury; however, it has been reported to be carrying oil from the sanctioned Venezuelan state oil company, PDVSA. Records show that this vessel has previously sailed under the flags of Greece and Liberia in the past five years, as verified by BBC.
The Venezuelan government has issued a stern warning that these actions will not go unpunished, promising to file complaints with the UN Security Council and various other international bodies. The Venezuelan economy heavily relies on revenues from its oil exports, making these seizures particularly damaging to its financial stability.
In recent weeks, the United States has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and has conducted lethal strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessels, reportedly resulting in approximately 100 fatalities. However, the US military has not provided public evidence that these vessels were indeed involved in drug trafficking, leading to growing scrutiny from Congress regarding these military operations.
The Trump administration has labeled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as the leader of a designated terrorist organization known as the Cartel de los Soles. Maduro has vehemently denied these allegations, setting the stage for ongoing political and diplomatic tensions between the two nations.