HOT PURSUIT: Coast Guard Chases Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tanker Flying False Flag After Blocking U.S. Boarding
US Coast Guard Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tanker
The U.S. Coast Guard is actively pursuing a third Venezuelan oil tanker in the Caribbean after the vessel refused to allow U.S. forces on board.
The tanker, named Bella 1, is reportedly flying a false flag in an attempt to evade U.S. authorities.
An unnamed official told Fox News, “The United States Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion. It is flying a false flag and is under a judicial seizure order.”
According to the Treasury Department, Bella 1 was placed under U.S. sanctions in June 2024 under counterterrorism authorities. The vessel is linked to a shipping network associated with Sa’id al-Jamal, a U.S.-designated Houthi financial facilitator. Officials say vessels in this network have been used to transport sanctioned oil, including Iranian crude, with proceeds directed to militant groups.
If apprehended, Bella 1 would become the third tanker seized by U.S. authorities. On Saturday, the Coast Guard seized another tanker in international waters near Venezuela after President Trump declared a blockade of the country.
That vessel, flying a Panamanian flag, was reportedly carrying Venezuelan oil intended for sale in Asia. Another tanker had been seized roughly a week earlier, part of the administration’s escalation against the Maduro regime.
The latest actions come in the wake of President Trump’s order for a full blockade on all sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments.
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