Name: U.S. pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say
Uploaded: 2025-12-22T15:00:15.425Z
Duration: 1 min 17 s
Description: The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, officials told Reuters on Sunday (December 21), in what would be the third operation in less than two weeks if successful.

The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, officials told Reuters on Sunday (December 21), in what would be the third operation in less than two weeks if successful.

Caracas

The U.S. Coast Guard is actively pursuing a third oil tanker, identified as Bella 1, in international waters near Venezuela. This follows the recent interception of other vessels, including the Panama-flagged Centuries and the Skipper, as part of efforts to enforce sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports.

These operations are part of a broader U.S. crackdown on what officials describe as a 'shadow fleet' used to evade sanctions. The increased military presence in the region and recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug vessels have heightened tensions, while oil prices have risen amid renewed uncertainty in global supply.

U.S. pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say

The U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday that it was pursuing another oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela. It was identified by British Maritime Risk Management Group Vanguard as Bella 1, pictured here in March in images verified by Reuters. The operation follows hard on the heels of the interception of the Panama Flag centuries on Saturday, seen in video published by U.S. Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem. That second seizure came days after President Donald Trump announced a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. The first Venezuela-related vessel seized by the U.S. on December 10th, the Skipper, a very large crude carrier, reached the Gevelston offshore lightering area in Texas on Sunday. The vessels are said to be part of a so-called shadow or dark fleet of tankers that disguise their location and are used by buyers of Venezuelan oil to get around U.S. sanctions. Recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug vessels in waters near the country have killed at least 100 people, while military forces have ramped up their presence in the region. On Sunday, in Puerto Rico's Port of Americas, a U.S. Navy replenishment oiler was filmed, while at Mercedita Airport, mechanics were seen working on aircraft. Trump has said the U.S. will soon start land strikes on Venezuela. Oil prices rose on Monday in early Asian trading hours, amid fresh global supply uncertainty.

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