The U.S. Coast Guard was actively pursuing a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday, indicating an escalated focus by the Trump administration on vessels associated with the Venezuelan government. The pursuit of this tanker, confirmed by a knowledgeable U.S. official, follows the recent announcement of the seizure of a tanker for the second time within a short span.
According to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing operation, the pursuit on Sunday involved a “sanctioned dark fleet vessel linked to Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion.” The vessel was reportedly flying a false flag and was subject to a judicial seizure order.
Saturday saw the predawn seizure of another vessel, the Centuries, flagged under Panama, which the White House identified as a vessel operating within the Venezuelan shadow fleet for illicit oil trafficking. In a similar operation on December 10, the Coast Guard, with support from the U.S. navy, seized a sanctioned tanker named Skipper, part of the shadow fleet involved in moving sanctioned cargo. The Coast Guard intercepted the Skipper, which was not displaying any national flag at the time.
The recent actions align with President Trump’s declaration of a “blockade” against Venezuela following the initial seizure. The administration has heightened its stance against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, demanding the return of seized assets from U.S. oil companies. Trump emphasized the significance of lost U.S. investments in Venezuela, highlighting disputes over oil investments and allegations of drug trafficking as driving factors behind the administration’s strategy. Some vessels under sanctions are already altering course away from Venezuela.
The targeting of these tankers is part of broader U.S. efforts, with Trump instructing the Defence Department to conduct operations against vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean suspected of smuggling illegal drugs like fentanyl into the U.S. and other regions. The operations have faced criticism from lawmakers and human rights advocates for lack of conclusive evidence and concerns about extrajudicial killings.
President Trump has maintained a tough stance on Maduro’s regime, with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles expressing a relentless approach to pressure Maduro. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine has raised concerns over military actions in the Caribbean, calling for congressional deliberation and emphasizing the need for sanctions and diplomatic tools to address the Venezuelan crisis.
