US Intensifies Pursuit of Oil Tankers Linked to Venezuela Amid Rising Tensions

Mon Dec 22 2025 03:05:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The U.S. Coast Guard is reportedly pursuing a third oil tanker connected to Venezuela, escalating maritime tensions in the region. This follows the seizure of two vessels earlier this month amid accusations of sanction violations.

The United States is actively pursuing a third oil tanker tied to Venezuela, as the U.S. Coast Guard continues to increase its naval operations in the region following recent seizures of two other vessels. The ongoing maritime pursuit stems from accusations of illegal sanction evasion by the Maduro government, which Venezuelan officials vehemently contest, labeling the actions as theft. The U.S. has significantly ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean, amidst claims that Venezuela's oil revenue is fueling drug-related crime.

The US Coast Guard is in active pursuit of another vessel in international waters near Venezuela, an official has told BBC's US partner CBS News, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

US authorities have already seized two oil tankers this month - one of them on Saturday. Sunday's pursuit is related to a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion, according to a US official. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.

Washington has accused Venezuela of using oil money to fund drug-related crime, while Venezuela has described the tanker seizures as theft and kidnapping.

US President Donald Trump last week ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country. Venezuela, home to the world's largest proven oil reserves, has accused the Trump administration of trying to steal its resources.

US authorities have not yet officially confirmed Sunday's pursuit, and the exact location and name of the tanker involved remain unclear. As of last week, over 30 of the 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were under US sanctions.

Saturday's seizure involved a Panamanian-flagged tanker boarded by a specialized tactical team in international waters. Though that ship was not on the US Treasury's sanctioned list, it was carrying sanctioned PDVSA oil. In the past five years, the ship also sailed under the flags of Greece and Liberia.

These acts will not go unpunished, the Venezuelan government stated in response to Saturday's incident, indicating intentions to file a complaint with the UN Security Council and other multilateral agencies.

Venezuela is highly dependent on revenues from its oil exports to finance its government spending and in recent weeks, the US has bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean Sea, conducting deadly strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats, resulting in approximately 100 fatalities. However, the US has provided no public evidence that these vessels were indeed carrying drugs.

President Trump has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a designated-terrorist organization called Cartel de los Soles, an allegation Maduro denies.