Caribbean Sea
The US Coast Guard is in “active pursuit” of a suspected sanctions-evading vessel in international waters near Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s recently declared “oil blockade.” The pursuit, which began on Sunday, follows the seizure of two other tankers earlier this month as Washington ramps up military and economic pressure on the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
US officials describe the vessel currently under chase as part of a “sanctioned dark fleet” used by Venezuela to bypass international restrictions. The ship is reportedly flying a “false flag” and is subject to a judicial seizure order. While the exact name and location of the tanker have not been disclosed, the move follows a high-stakes operation on Saturday in which a Panamanian-flagged tanker was boarded by a specialised tactical team.
🛑 The ‘Blockade’ and the Dark Fleet
The maritime cat-and-mouse game comes just one week after President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. According to data from TankerTrackers.com, more than 30 of the 80 ships currently in or approaching Venezuelan waters are now under US sanctions.
- The Accusation: Washington claims Venezuela uses oil revenues to fund the “Cartel de los Soles,” a designated terrorist and drug-trafficking organisation allegedly led by Mr Maduro.
- The Defence: Caracas has reacted with fury, labelling the seizures “theft and kidnapping.” The Venezuelan government has vowed to file a complaint with the UN Security Council, accusing the US of trying to steal the world’s largest proven oil reserves.
Diplomatic and Military Escalation
The rhetoric between Washington and Caracas has reached a breaking point. On Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the “status quo” with the Maduro administration is “intolerable,” adding that the goal of the current policy is to force a change in the country’s leadership.
However, the US strategy has faced mounting scrutiny. In recent weeks, US military forces in the Caribbean have carried out strikes on what they alleged were drug-smuggling boats, resulting in approximately 100 deaths. Despite these lethal actions, the administration has yet to provide public evidence linking those specific vessels to narcotics, leading to questions from members of the US Congress.
Key Developments at a Glance
| Event | Detail |
| Sunday Pursuit | Active chase of a “dark fleet” vessel flying a false flag. |
| Saturday Seizure | Panamanian tanker boarded; BBC Verify found the ship previously sailed under Greek and Liberian flags. |
| Casualties | Roughly 100 killed in recent US strikes on suspected smuggling boats. |
| Sanctions | Targets include President Maduro’s relatives and associated businesses. |
The Venezuelan foreign minister has accused Secretary Rubio of dragging the United States down a dangerous path of “regime change,” while the US remains steadfast that the oil blockade is necessary to cut off the “lifeblood” of an illegitimate regime.
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