US reportedly pursuing third oil tanker linked to Venezuela
The US Coast Guard is “actively pursuing” another vessel in international waters near Venezuela, an official told the BBC’s US partner CBS News, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.
American authorities have already seized two tankers this month, including one on Saturday.
Sunday’s pursuit involved a “sanctioned Black Fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion program,” a U.S. official said. “It is flying under a false flag and is the subject of a judicial seizure order.”
Washington has accused Venezuela of using oil money to finance drug crimes, while Venezuela has called the oil tanker seizures “theft and kidnapping.”
US President Donald Trump last week ordered a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country.
Venezuela – home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves – has accused the Trump administration of trying to steal its resources.
U.S. authorities have not yet officially confirmed Sunday’s pursuit, and the exact location and name of the tanker involved are not yet known.
As of last week, more than 30 of 80 vessels in or approaching Venezuelan waters were under U.S. sanctions, according to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com.
In Saturday’s seizure, a Panama-flagged oil tanker was boarded by a tactical team specializing in international waters.
This vessel is not on the U.S. Treasury’s list of sanctioned vessels, but the United States said it was carrying “sanctioned PDVSA oil.” For the past five years, the ship has also sailed under the flags of Greece and Liberia, according to information seen by BBC Verify.
“These acts will not go unpunished,” the Venezuelan government said in response to Saturday’s incident. He added that he intended to lodge a complaint with the UN Security Council and “other multilateral agencies and world governments.”
Venezuela relies heavily on revenues from its oil exports to finance its public spending.
In recent weeks, the United States has increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and carried out deadly strikes against suspected Venezuelan drug trafficking boats, killing around 100 people.
He has provided no public evidence that these ships were carrying drugs, and the military has faced increasing scrutiny from Congress in the wake of the strikes.
The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a designated terrorist organization called the Cartel de los Soles, which he denies.
