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U.S. Pursues Third Sanctioned Tanker Near Venezuela
The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing a sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela, potentially marking a third vessel seizure this month as tensions rise over U.S. enforcement actions and Venezuela’s condemnation of them.
A US military helicopter flies over the Panama-flagged Centuries, which was intercepted by the US Coast Guard, days after President Donald Trump announced a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. Department of Homeland Security/Handout/Reuters
The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, U.S. officials confirmed Sunday, a move that could mark the third seizure this month of vessels Washington says are linked to Venezuela’s efforts to evade international sanctions.
A U.S. official told Reuters that the tanker is part of what the United States describes as “Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion,” adding that the vessel is flying a false flag and operating under a judicial seizure order. If the pursuit is successful, it would follow two similar actions carried out by U.S. forces earlier in December.
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The latest pursuit comes a day after the U.S. seized another oil tanker that had last docked in Venezuela. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that operation, describing it as a “pre-dawn action.” U.S. officials speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the seizure involved a “consented boarding,” with the tanker voluntarily stopping and allowing U.S. forces on board.
Venezuela sharply condemned the seizure, calling it “criminal,” and said it would file complaints with the United Nations Security Council. In a statement, the Venezuelan government said it “categorically denounces and rejects the theft and hijacking of another private vessel transporting Venezuelan oil, as well as the enforced disappearance of its crew, perpetrated by United States military personnel in international waters.”
The pursuit follows an earlier seizure on Dec. 10, when U.S. forces intercepted a large oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast. Officials said crew members did not resist during that operation.
The United States has increased its military presence in the Caribbean region this year, accusing Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other criminal activity. Maritime patrols, often conducted at night and in low-visibility conditions, have expanded as part of this effort. Requiring Coast Guard crews to rely on advanced operational equipment to safely identify and track vessels during interdictions from shipborne sensors to personal gear such as high-lumen headlamps commonly used during nighttime boarding operations.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded Sunday on Telegram, saying Venezuela has been “denouncing, confronting and defeating a campaign of aggression that ranges from psychological terrorism to privateers who have attacked oil tankers” for months.
“We are prepared to accelerate the pace of the profound revolution!” Maduro wrote.
Earlier in the week, President Donald Trump claimed Venezuela is now “completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America.” In a Truth Social post, Trump said pressure on Venezuela would intensify until the country returned “all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us.” He added that he was ordering “a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into, and out of, Venezuela.”
As of Sunday, U.S. operations in the Caribbean have reportedly resulted in the deaths of 104 people and the destruction of 29 boats. U.S. officials maintain the vessels were carrying drugs and that those killed were “narco-terrorists.” Critics, including Latin American leaders and bipartisan U.S. lawmakers, have said the Trump administration has not provided evidence to substantiate those claims.
Speaking on ABC News’ “This Week,” Sen. Rand Paul criticized the tanker seizures, calling them “a provocation and a prelude to war.”
“I hope we don’t go to war with Venezuela,” Paul said. “It isn’t the job of the American soldier to be the policeman of the world. I’m not for confiscating these liners. I’m not for blowing up these boats of unarmed people that are suspected of being drug dealers. I’m not for any of this.”
The ongoing pursuit highlights escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas as U.S. enforcement of sanctions intensifies in international waters near Venezuela.
Editor’s Note:
This article is based on reporting from Reuters, the Associated Press, and public statements from U.S. and Venezuelan officials. Details reflect information available at the time of publication, and developments related to the Coast Guard pursuit and diplomatic responses may continue to evolve.
