#VenezuelaToday: The White House Said the Second Seized Ship Belongs to the "Ghost Fleet"
The United States intercepted a second Venezuelan tanker from the so-called "ghost fleet" to evade sanctions.
SUMMARY
The United States intercepted a second false flag Venezuelan tanker, part of the "ghost fleet" used to evade sanctions and finance Nicolás Maduro's government. The action is part of the Trump Administration's military and economic pressure in the Caribbean, including a blockade on Venezuelan tankers. There are reports of a possible pursuit of a third ship in international waters. Analysts highlight the geopolitical implications of these seizures.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The U.S. intercepted a second false flag Venezuelan tanker linked to the "ghost fleet."
- The operation is part of the Trump Administration's military and economic pressure against Maduro.
- There are reports of a possible pursuit of a third tanker in international waters.
- Analysts note that the seizures have geopolitical implications, including potential effects on conflicts involving Russia and Ukraine.
CORE SUBJECT
Interception of Venezuelan tankers by the U.S.
The United States intercepted a second tanker linked to Venezuela, which it described as a "false flag" ship belonging to the so-called "ghost fleet" used to evade sanctions and finance Nicolás Maduro's government. The operation, publicized by U.S. authorities, is part of the Trump Administration's pressure campaign, with increased military presence in the Caribbean and a blockade on Venezuelan tankers.
The second intercepted tanker, according to Washington, is a "false flag" vessel that is part of the Caribbean country's "ghost fleet" to circumvent sanctions and transport crude oil used to finance Caracas. Intercepted on Saturday, "the tanker was carrying oil from PDVSA, a sanctioned company."
"It was a false flag ship operating as part of the Venezuelan ghost fleet to traffic stolen oil and finance Nicolás Maduro's narcoterrorist regime," wrote Anna Kelly, spokesperson for the Donald Trump Administration, on X.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a video of the operation, which involved members of the U.S. Coast Guard and Armed Forces, adding on X that the U.S. will continue "pursuing the illicit movement of sanctioned oil used to finance narcoterrorism in the region."
In this regard, officials speaking anonymously told Reuters that a third tanker is reportedly being pursued, allegedly in international waters.
Trump's pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has included an increased military presence in the region and dozens of military attacks on ships in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. At least 100 people have died in these attacks.
Additionally, the U.S. president announced last week a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, complicating Caracas's finances.
While analysts say that quantitatively the seizures have limited global effects on the oil market, they highlight geopolitical implications. According to Matias Togni, oil transport analyst at NextBarrel, speaking to Reuters, the seizures could legitimize and encourage Ukraine to continue attacking Russian ships and possibly encourage Europe to also stop dark fleet vessels linked to Moscow.
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 9
United States
📍 Location_CountryCountry that intercepted the Venezuelan tankers
Venezuela
📍 Location_CountryCountry of origin of the intercepted tankers
Nicolás Maduro
👤 Person_MalePresident of Venezuela
Trump Administration
🏛️ OrganizationUnited States government during the operation
Anna Kelly
👤 Person_FemaleSpokesperson for the Donald Trump Administration
Kristi Noem
👤 Person_FemaleU.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
PDVSA
🏛️ OrganizationSanctioned Venezuelan oil company
Matias Togni
👤 Person_MaleOil transport analyst at NextBarrel
NextBarrel
🏛️ OrganizationOil transport analysis company