The United States Tracks an Oil Tanker Approaching Venezuela
The United States pursues an oil tanker linked to Venezuela as part of a naval blockade.
SUMMARY
The United States has initiated the pursuit of the oil tanker Bella 1, suspected of violating U.S. sanctions while heading to Venezuela as part of a naval blockade. This vessel is under sanctions due to its links with Iran and Hezbollah. Washington accuses Caracas of using oil to finance criminal activities, while Venezuela denies the allegations and accuses the U.S. of trying to overthrow its government.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The United States pursues a sanctioned oil tanker en route to Venezuela.
- The vessel Bella 1 is under sanctions for links with Iran and Hezbollah.
- Washington has established a naval blockade against tankers linked to Caracas.
- Caracas denies the accusations and accuses the U.S. of seeking to overthrow Maduro.
CORE SUBJECT
U.S. pursuit of a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean
The United States initiated on Sunday in the Caribbean the pursuit of an oil tanker suspected of violating U.S. sanctions by heading towards Venezuela, as part of the naval blockade imposed by Washington against ships linked to Caracas.
On Sunday, the United States was pursuing a vessel approaching Venezuela in the Caribbean, as part of the blockade established by Washington against oil tankers connected to Caracas, several American media outlets reported.
The ship was identified by these media as the oil tanker Bella 1, under U.S. sanctions since 2024 for its links with Iran and Hezbollah. According to the specialized site TankerTrackers, it was en route to Venezuela and was not carrying any cargo.
"The U.S. Coast Guard is actively pursuing a sanctioned vessel (...) involved in the illegal evasion of sanctions by Venezuela. It is flying a false flag and is subject to a judicial seizure order," a U.S. official, speaking anonymously, told NBC.
According to the New York Times, U.S. forces approached it late Saturday and attempted to intercept it after obtaining a warrant from a federal judge, but the ship continued on its course.
The United States, which announced on Tuesday the establishment of a naval blockade around Venezuela targeting sanctioned oil tankers, has already seized two ships accused of transporting Venezuelan oil. The latest was intercepted on Saturday by the U.S. Coast Guard during an operation described by Caracas as "theft and kidnapping."
U.S. President Donald Trump claims that Venezuela uses black gold, its main resource, to finance "narcoterrorism, human trafficking, murders, and kidnappings." Caracas denies any involvement in drug trafficking and asserts that Washington seeks to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro to seize the country's oil reserves.
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 7
Bella 1
OtherOil tanker under U.S. sanctions for links with Iran and Hezbollah
United States
📍 Location_CountryCountry that established a naval blockade against Venezuela
Venezuela
📍 Location_CountryCountry targeted by the U.S. naval blockade
Donald Trump
👤 Person_MaleU.S. President accusing Venezuela of financing criminal activities
Nicolas Maduro
👤 Person_MalePresident of Venezuela targeted by U.S. accusations
Hezbollah
🏛️ OrganizationOrganization linked to the sanctioned oil tanker Bella 1
Iran
📍 Location_CountryCountry linked to the sanctioned oil tanker Bella 1