US 'in active pursuit' of third oil tanker near Venezuela: Media
Washington, Dec 22
The US is "in active pursuit" of a third oil tanker in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, US news outlets reported Sunday.
"The United States Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order," a US official told NBC News.
Bloomberg News reported earlier on Sunday that the tanker, called the Bella 1, was boarded by US personnel while en route to Venezuela to load cargo. It said later the pursuit is still going on.
If caught, the oil tanker will be the third one linked to the oil-rich South American nation and intercepted by the US in less than two weeks, Xinhua news agency reported.
One day earlier, the US Coast Guard boarded the Centuries off Venezuela, a Panamanian-flagged supertanker that is not on Washington's sanctions list. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said on X that the crude oil aboard the Centuries originated from Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), which is under US sanctions.
On December 10, US forces seized the tanker Skipper near Venezuelan waters and announced the US plans to keep its oil cargo.
On December 16, US President Donald Trump ordered a "total and complete blockade" of sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, announcing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government had been designated as a "foreign terrorist organization."
According to oil-shipping monitor TankerTrackers.com, dozens of tankers on the US sanctions list are currently remaining in Venezuelan waters. Oil exports are widely seen as the backbone of Venezuela's economy, accounting for the vast majority of its foreign revenue.
Venezuela has accused Washington of seeking regime change and military expansion in Latin America, condemning the interception of oil tankers as "piracy."
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I understand the need to enforce sanctions, boarding vessels in international waters sets a dangerous precedent. What's to stop other nations from doing the same? The legality seems very murky.
From an Indian perspective, this is worrying. Our energy security depends on stable global markets. If the US starts seizing tankers willy-nilly, it creates uncertainty for all oil-importing nations like ours. We need diplomacy, not piracy.
The people of Venezuela are suffering. Blocking their main source of revenue will only make the humanitarian crisis worse. The US should focus on dialogue and helping the common people, not starving them out. Very sad.
If the tankers are flying false flags and violating sanctions, then enforcement is necessary. Rules are rules. The Maduro regime has been accused of terrible corruption and human rights abuses. The sanctions have a purpose.
Calling a sovereign government a "foreign terrorist organization" is a huge escalation. This isn't just about oil anymore; it's about regime change. India must be very careful in navigating this. Our foreign policy should prioritize our own interests and non-alignment.
The timing is interesting. With
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.