Escalating Tensions: U.S. Intensifies Pressure on Venezuela, Pursues Third Oil Tanker

In a significant escalation of President Trump’s campaign against Venezuela, the U.S. Coast Guard is reportedly pursuing a third oil tanker linked to the sanctioned nation. This aggressive move signals a clear intent to further squeeze Venezuela’s economy and challenge Nicolás Maduro’s grip on power.

The Latest Target: The Bella 1

Sources reveal that the Panamanian-flagged vessel, Bella 1, was the latest target in this maritime offensive. Although not laden with oil at the time of pursuit, it was en route to Venezuela to load crude. The U.S. Treasury Department had previously sanctioned Bella 1 in 2024 for allegedly facilitating cargo that enriched terror groups like Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.

A Pattern of Seizures

This isn’t an isolated incident. The U.S. has recently interdicted two other vessels:

• The Skipper: Seized on December 10th, this vessel was on the U.S. sanctions list and carried approximately 1.8 to 1.9 million barrels of oil, valued around $95 million. Its seizure was backed by a court order due to its financing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah.
• The Centuries: Boarded on Saturday, this ship also carried a similar volume and value of oil but was not on the U.S. sanctions list. The legal standing for its seizure remains less clear, though the Trump administration asserts the right to target most oil shipments from Venezuela’s state-run company, sanctioned since 2019.

Panama’s Cooperation and Diplomatic Maneuvers

Crucially, the U.S. secured permission from the Panamanian government to board both the Panamanian-flagged Centuries and Bella 1. This cooperation is rooted in the 2002 Salas-Becker Agreement, which facilitates collaborative efforts against sanctioned vessels. Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, a known critic of Maduro, has been cited as a key U.S. ally in this endeavor, even having honored anti-Maduro activist Maria Corina Machado.

Intriguingly, one source indicated that Bella 1 was flying under a false flag as it was being pursued, adding another layer to the cat-and-mouse game on the high seas.

Broader Geopolitical Implications: Iran and the Western Hemisphere

The pressure on Venezuela serves a dual purpose. While directly targeting the Maduro regime, which the U.S. views as propping up Cuba, it also has significant second-order effects on Iran. Iran and Venezuela are known to share a ‘ghost armada’ for crude transport, cooperate on military drone technology, and Iran is alleged to have terrorist agents within Venezuela, according to experts like Jason Brodsky of United Against a Nuclear Iran.

This aggressive stance aligns with Trump’s new National Security Strategy, which prioritizes dominating the Western Hemisphere.

The Stance from Washington and Caracas

Administration officials are tight-lipped about the specifics of the interdictions and the disposition of the seized oil. However, Trump last week declared a “blockade” of sanctioned oil vessels and labeled Venezuela’s government a Foreign Terrorist Organization. His administration previously indicted Maduro as a narcoterrorist in 2020 and recently designated the cartel he allegedly runs as a terrorist group.

Venezuela, predictably, has vehemently denied U.S. accusations of terrorist activities and drug trafficking. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez denounced the actions as a “neo-colonial” oil grab and slammed the “theft and hijacking of a new private vessel transporting oil, as well as the forced disappearance of its crew, committed by military personnel of the United States of America in international waters.”

As the U.S. continues its relentless pressure campaign, the situation in the Caribbean and the broader geopolitical landscape remains tense and unpredictable, with far-reaching consequences for international shipping, energy markets, and diplomatic relations.

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