The United States took action in the Caribbean Sea during the weekend by intercepting two oil tankers near Venezuela, leading to increased vigilance among other Latin American countries and readiness for potential land operations.
The U.S. Coast Guard boarded a vessel named Centuries on Saturday and pursued another vessel, Bella 1, on Sunday, which managed to evade capture and is currently in motion. According to U.S. officials, Centuries is part of a group of sanctioned cargo known as the “dark fleet,” allegedly supporting narcoterrorism activities.
These interceptions are part of a broader U.S. military presence in the region, targeting numerous smaller boats suspected of drug trafficking and resulting in the deaths of over 100 individuals onboard.
President Donald Trump recently convened a meeting with key national security officials in Florida, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Navy Secretary John Phelan. The U.S.’s efforts against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro initially focused on combating illegal drug flows from Venezuela but have evolved into a more generalized campaign.
In a recent incident, the U.S. seized an oil tanker named Skipper carrying Venezuelan crude, previously linked to Iranian oil shipments under U.S. sanctions for allegedly supporting terrorist activities. Trump’s administration has defended its military actions but has not provided a clear rationale for its pressure campaign on Maduro.
China, the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude, expressed concern over the U.S.’s ship seizures, labeling them as a violation of international law. The Venezuelan government condemned the tanker interceptions as “serious acts of international piracy.”
The vessel Bella 1, which managed to escape interception attempts, has been identified as a large crude oil carrier previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for alleged ties to Iran. The vessel had transmitted distress signals as it moved northwards into the Atlantic Ocean.
Several countries, including Russia and Brazil, have reacted to the U.S.’s actions in Venezuela, with concerns raised about potential armed interventions and humanitarian consequences. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have called for restraint in dealing with the escalating tensions. Lula da Silva likened the situation to the Falklands War and criticized the presence of external military powers in South America.