The U.S. Coast Guard continues its pursuit of a sanctioned oil tanker more than a week after the initial interception attempt. This development is part of President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign on Venezuela, following reports that the United States targeted a dock facility along the shore.
According to sources cited by The New York Times, the tanker tried to seek Russian protection by displaying a Russian flag on its side. Identified as Bella 1 by the British maritime risk management group Vanguard and a U.S. maritime security source, the vessel is a large crude oil carrier that was placed on the U.S. Treasury Department sanctions list last year due to its connections to Iran.
President Trump confirmed on December 22 that the U.S. Coast Guard was pursuing the tanker, which is believed to be part of Venezuela’s “dark fleet” used to circumvent U.S. sanctions. This operation marked the second such incident over the weekend.
Recent actions include the U.S. targeting a facility in Venezuela where boats loaded with drugs are believed to operate. This marked the first known instance of U.S. land operations within Venezuela since the pressure campaign commenced.
CNN reported that the CIA conducted a drone strike on a port facility along the Venezuelan coast. The strike aimed at disrupting the activities of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which was suspected of storing and trafficking drugs via boats from the dock.
The U.S. military also executed a strike against a drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in casualties. These actions are part of a series of strikes dating back to September, with at least 107 individuals reported killed in 30 incidents as disclosed by the Trump administration.
President Trump has ordered a military buildup in the region and authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela. The U.S. has deployed warships and bolstered its military presence while seizing oil tankers. The administration has framed its actions as combating drug cartels and preventing narcotics from entering the country.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro contends that the U.S. military operations aim to oust him from power. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles indicated in an interview that Trump’s objective is to persist with military actions until Maduro capitulates.
Request for comment from Venezuela’s government press office remains unanswered.