According to CBS and Bloomberg, on Sunday the U.S. Coast Guard began an operation against the tanker Bella 1, registered under the Panamanian flag, which has also been sanctioned. The vessel was heading to Venezuela. According to an unnamed U.S. official, the tanker "is part of a shadow fleet that helps Venezuela evade sanctions" and "uses a false flag."
In recent weeks, the U.S. has increased its military presence off the coast of Venezuela, stating that it is necessary to combat drug trafficking. However, in Caracas, they are convinced that Washington's true goal is regime change to gain control over Venezuelan resources, especially oil.
Since the beginning of September, U.S. forces have struck more than 20 vessels in the Caribbean suspected of drug trafficking, resulting in at least 87 deaths.
On Saturday, the vessel Centuries was detained, which, according to media reports, was not under U.S. sanctions, while Trump's order specifically targeted sanctioned tankers. According to CNN, this vessel, flying the Panamanian flag, was headed to Asia. Over the past five years, it has also changed flags, including Greece and Liberia, according to BBC Verify.
On December 10, U.S. military forces seized a large oil tanker Skipper, which was also under sanctions due to ties with Iran.
The Venezuelan authorities characterized the seizure of the tanker on Saturday as theft and promised to take all possible measures to respond to U.S. actions, including appealing to the UN Security Council.
The operation conducted on Saturday was carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard with military support, using a special tactical group that boarded the vessel in international waters.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated on X that "the United States will continue the fight against the illegal movement of oil subject to sanctions and used to finance narco-terrorism in the region," posting a video of the seven-minute operation.
Despite the restrictions on Venezuelan oil, some companies, such as Chevron, have exemptions from the sanctions regime and continue to operate in the country, cooperating with the state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).
