The United States Coast Guard is actively pursuing another vessel in international waters near Venezuela, a US official said, marking the third known tanker targeted this month as tensions between Washington and Caracas continue to rise.
According to the official, the latest pursuit involves a “sanctioned dark fleet vessel” accused of helping Venezuela evade international oil sanctions. The ship is alleged to be operating under a false flag and is subject to a judicial seizure order.
The pursuit comes after US authorities seized two oil tankers earlier this month, including one intercepted on Saturday. Venezuela has strongly condemned those actions, describing them as acts of “theft and kidnapping.”
Sanctions, Oil, and the ‘Dark Fleet’
Washington has repeatedly accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to finance drug-related crime. Venezuelan officials have rejected the claims, arguing the US is using sanctions enforcement as a pretext to seize the country’s resources.
Last week, Donald Trump ordered what he described as a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. Caracas, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, said the move was an attempt to strangle its economy and steal its oil wealth.
US authorities have not officially confirmed Sunday’s pursuit, and details about the tanker’s name and exact location have not yet been disclosed.
Data compiled by TankerTrackers.com shows that more than 30 of the roughly 80 ships operating in or approaching Venezuelan waters were under US sanctions as of last week.
Recent Seizures Draw Sharp Reaction
Saturday’s seizure involved a Panamanian-flagged tanker boarded by a specialised US tactical team in international waters. While the vessel was not listed on the US Treasury’s sanctions register, US officials said it was transporting oil belonging to Venezuela’s state-owned company PDVSA.
Shipping records reviewed by media investigators indicate the tanker has sailed under multiple flags in recent years, including Greece and Liberia.
In response, Venezuelan authorities warned the action would “not go unpunished,” announcing plans to file complaints with the United Nations Security Council and other international bodies.
Oil exports remain Venezuela’s main source of government revenue, making tanker seizures a direct threat to the country’s already fragile economy.
Rising Military Pressure and Political Fallout
In recent weeks, the US has expanded its military presence in the Caribbean and carried out deadly strikes on vessels it claims were involved in drug smuggling, killing around 100 people. Those operations have drawn growing scrutiny from US lawmakers, with critics noting a lack of publicly released evidence linking the targeted ships to narcotics trafficking.
The Trump administration has also imposed sanctions on relatives of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and businesses tied to what Washington calls his illegitimate government. Maduro denies US accusations that he leads a drug-linked organisation known as the Cartel de los Soles.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the current relationship with Caracas was “intolerable” and signaled that Washington intends to change the situation. Venezuela’s foreign minister sharply criticised the remarks, accusing Rubio of pushing the US toward a policy of regime change.
As the US continues to pursue vessels linked to Venezuelan oil, the latest operation underscores how maritime enforcement has become a central front in the widening standoff between the two countries.