The United States has been actively involved in the Caribbean Sea, where two oil tankers were intercepted off the coast of Venezuela, prompting neighboring Latin American countries to brace for potential land strikes. The U.S. Coast Guard boarded a vessel named Centuries on Saturday and pursued another named Bella 1 the following day, with the latter managing to evade capture and remains on the move.
According to U.S. officials, Centuries is part of a group of sanctioned cargo known as the “dark fleet,” which allegedly funds narcoterrorism activities. The recent interception operations are part of a broader U.S. military presence in the region that also targeted over two dozen smaller boats suspected of drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of at least 100 individuals onboard.
On Monday, President Donald Trump convened a meeting with his national security team in Florida, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Navy Secretary John Phelan. The U.S.’s efforts to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro began with the aim of curbing illegal drug flows from the country but have evolved into a more complex strategy.
In recent developments, the U.S. seized the oil tanker Skipper on December 10, escorting it to Galveston, Texas. The tanker was reportedly transporting Venezuelan crude, having previously carried Iranian oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. Trump announced a “blockade” on all oil tankers under sanctions entering or departing from Venezuela.
China, the largest purchaser of Venezuelan crude, expressed concerns over the U.S.’s actions, labeling the ship seizures as a breach of international law. Meanwhile, Venezuela denounced the interception of the tankers as a “serious act of international piracy.”
The vessel Bella 1, which managed to evade U.S. authorities, continues to sail, with reports indicating distress signals being transmitted as it heads north towards the Atlantic Ocean. Other countries, including Russia, have started taking precautionary measures in response to the escalating situation in Venezuela, while global leaders have expressed varying degrees of concern and urged restraint in dealing with the crisis.