The United States pursued a sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela on Sunday, marking another escalation in President Donald Trump’s effort to choke off Caracas’ oil exports, US officials said.
The vessel, Bella 1, was heading toward Venezuela to load crude when the US Coast Guard attempted to board it in international waters. The ship refused to stop, prompting an active pursuit, according to CNN.
The US was pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela after attempting to intercept it, a US official saidhttps://t.co/fHI9fL3MZA pic.twitter.com/1Gj5fN71YS
— CNN (@CNN) December 21, 2025
US officials say Bella 1 is part of a shadow fleet used to transport oil from sanctioned countries and is already under a judicial seizure order. The tanker has been sanctioned for alleged links to Iranian oil and is accused of sailing under a false flag.
🚨 BREAKING: High-seas pursuit underway! The US Coast Guard is currently chasing the "Bella 1" oil tanker near Venezuela after the vessel refused a boarding order.
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) December 21, 2025
This is the 3rd tanker targeted in 12 days as Trump’s "total blockade" hits the high seas. 🚢💨#Venezuela #USCG… pic.twitter.com/Y1x7g7Jxni
The operation followed the interception of another tanker, Centuries, a day earlier. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the US will continue targeting oil shipments that fund criminal and hostile regimes.
In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) December 20, 2025
The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund… pic.twitter.com/nSZ4mi6axc
Trump last week ordered a full blockade of sanctioned tankers tied to Venezuela, aiming to pressure President Nicolás Maduro. Venezuela and China have condemned the actions as violations of international law.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
