The U.S. Coast Guard is still actively pursuing a sanctioned oil tanker more than a week after initial interception attempts. This development is part of President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign on Venezuela. The tanker attempted to seek Russian protection by displaying a Russian flag, as reported by The New York Times, citing two U.S. officials.
The vessel in question, identified as Bella 1 by British maritime risk management group Vanguard and a U.S. maritime security source, is a large crude oil carrier that was recently added to the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions list due to its connections to Iran.
President Trump confirmed on December 22 that the U.S. Coast Guard was pursuing the tanker, described as part of Venezuela’s “dark fleet” used to circumvent U.S. sanctions. This operation was the second of its kind over that weekend.
Recent actions include a reported strike on a facility in Venezuela where President Trump claims drugs were loaded onto boats for transport, marking the first known land operation within Venezuela since the campaign began. The CIA reportedly conducted a drone strike on a port facility believed to be utilized by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua for drug storage and transportation.
The U.S. military also conducted a strike against a drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in two fatalities. These actions are part of the Trump administration’s efforts against drug cartels and narcotics trafficking. President Maduro of Venezuela has alleged that these military operations aim to remove him from power.
The U.S. has escalated its military presence in the region, including sending warships and seizing oil tankers. Trump’s administration stated it is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels to curb narcotics flow into the U.S. Venezuelan President Maduro believes the true intent behind U.S. operations is to oust him from office.