US Coast Guard Pursues Sanctioned Tanker Near Venezuela as Maritime Tensions Escalate
The United States Coast Guard is actively pursuing another oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, marking a further escalation in an increasingly volatile standoff...
The United States Coast Guard is actively pursuing another oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, marking a further escalation in an increasingly volatile standoff over sanctions enforcement, energy shipments and regional security in the Caribbean.
A US official said on Sunday that the vessel under pursuit is part of Venezuela’s so-called “dark fleet” — ships accused by Washington of helping Caracas evade international sanctions. According to the official, the tanker is operating under a false flag and is subject to a judicial seizure order, though US authorities have not yet publicly confirmed details such as the ship’s name or precise location.
Seizures Follow Trump’s Blockade Order
The latest pursuit comes days after US President Donald Trump ordered what the White House described as a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. Since the start of the month, US authorities have already seized two oil tankers, including one boarded on Saturday by a specialised tactical team in international waters.
That vessel was sailing under a Panamanian flag at the time of interception. While it does not appear on the US Treasury Department’s official sanctions list, US officials said it was transporting oil belonging to PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned energy company, which is under US sanctions. Shipping records reviewed by international monitors indicate the tanker previously operated under Greek and Liberian flags in recent years.
Venezuela Condemns Actions as “Theft”
Caracas has strongly condemned the seizures, calling them acts of “theft and kidnapping” and accusing Washington of attempting to seize Venezuelan resources. The Venezuelan government said it would raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council and with other multilateral bodies.
“These acts will not go unpunished,” the government said in a statement following Saturday’s seizure.
Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, relies heavily on oil exports to fund public spending and sustain its economy amid long-running sanctions.
Sanctions and the ‘Dark Fleet’
According to data compiled by shipping intelligence firm TankerTrackers.com, more than 30 of the roughly 80 vessels currently in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country are under US sanctions. Washington alleges that many of these ships operate covertly — switching flags, disabling tracking systems and using opaque ownership structures — to move Venezuelan oil in defiance of sanctions.
US officials have accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to finance organised crime and drug trafficking, allegations the Venezuelan government has repeatedly denied.
Rising Military Pressure in the Caribbean
The maritime confrontations are unfolding alongside a visible US military buildup in the Caribbean Sea. In recent weeks, the US military has carried out strikes on boats it claims were involved in Venezuelan drug smuggling operations, resulting in the deaths of around 100 people, according to US statements.
However, the US has not publicly presented evidence linking the intercepted vessels to narcotics trafficking, and the operations have drawn growing scrutiny from members of the US Congress.
Washington has also expanded sanctions to include relatives of President Nicolás Maduro and businesses linked to what the US describes as his illegitimate government.
Sharp Rhetoric from Both Sides
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that the current relationship with Caracas is “intolerable” for the United States and that the Trump administration is seeking to fundamentally alter the status quo.
Venezuela’s foreign minister responded sharply, accusing Rubio of pushing the US down the path of forced “regime change” — a charge that echoes long-standing Venezuelan concerns about US intervention.
The Trump administration has gone further by accusing President Maduro of leading a designated terrorist organisation known as the Cartel de los Soles, an allegation Maduro has categorically rejected.
An Uncertain Path Ahead
With another tanker now under pursuit and diplomatic rhetoric hardening on both sides, analysts warn that the risk of miscalculation in the Caribbean is rising. The dispute blends energy security, sanctions enforcement, military power and geopolitical rivalry — and shows little sign of de-escalation.
As Washington tightens pressure and Caracas seeks international support, the unfolding maritime confrontations could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and global energy flows.