Washington: The United States is intensifying its efforts to locate a third oil tanker linked to Venezuela, following President Donald Trump's recent order banning sanctioned vessels from entering and leaving the South American country. This move is part of the US strategy to increase pressure on Venezuela, which the Trump administration accuses of using oil revenues to fund drug-related activities.
According to Thai News Agency, US officials confirmed that the Coast Guard is actively pursuing the oil tanker, identified as Bella 1, in international waters near Venezuela. The tanker is reportedly part of a "shadow fleet" used by Venezuela to circumvent US sanctions. Data from British maritime risk management company Vanguard placed the vessel in the Caribbean Sea as of December 17, 2025.
The website TankerTrackers.com revealed that Bella 1 is listed on the US Treasury Department's sanctions list. Notably, the ship was not carrying oil when it recently sailed near Venezuela. In the past, Bella 1 has transported Venezuelan oil to China and Iranian crude oil.
The pursuit of Bella 1 follows the US seizure of two other oil tankers in the Caribbean earlier this month. The first vessel, suspected to be the Skipper, was seized on December 10th, while the second, believed to be the Panamanian-flagged Centuries, was seized on December 20th. These actions align with President Trump's December 16th order aimed at curbing Venezuela's oil trade.
In response to the latest seizure, the Venezuelan government vowed to seek recourse through the UN Security Council and other international bodies, condemning the US actions. Venezuela, heavily reliant on oil revenues, has accused the Trump administration of resource theft and has contested the US's aggressive stance.
The ongoing tension forms part of the broader US campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicol¡s Maduro, whom the Trump administration accuses of leading a terrorist organization. In recent months, the US has targeted suspected Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessels, resulting in numerous sinkings and over 100 deaths.