US pursuing third oil tanker linked to Venezuela, official says

December 22, 2025

The US Coast Guard is actively pursuing a Venezuelan-linked oil tanker called Bella 1 in international waters, marking the third vessel targeted this month as part of escalating sanctions enforcement against Venezuela's government. American authorities have already seized two other tankers—the Skipper on December 10th and the Centuries on Saturday—accusing them of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil to fund what the US labels as narcoterrorism and illegal activities. The Trump administration has intensified pressure on President Nicolás Maduro's regime by doubling capture rewards, designating Venezuela a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and ordering blockades of sanctioned oil vessels.

Who is affected

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government
Venezuela's state-run oil company, PDVSA
The US Coast Guard
Owners and operators of the oil tankers Bella 1, Skipper, and Centuries
Iran and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (linked to sanctioned vessels)
China (as a Venezuelan ally opposing US actions)
International maritime operators in the region
Venezuelan citizens who rely on oil revenue-funded government spending

What action is being taken

The US Coast Guard is in active pursuit of the Bella 1 vessel in international waters
The US Coast Guard is escorting the seized Skipper tanker to Galveston, Texas (it arrived on Sunday)
The Trump administration is enforcing a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela
The United Nations Security Council is holding an emergency session on Tuesday to discuss the situation

Why it matters

This represents a significant escalation in US pressure against Venezuela's government, targeting the country's primary revenue source—oil exports—which finances government spending. The actions strain international relations, with Venezuela seeking UN intervention and China opposing the sanctions as lacking international legal basis. The situation raises questions about maritime law enforcement in international waters and could set precedents for future sanctions enforcement. Additionally, the designation of Venezuela as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the aggressive interdiction of vessels mark a dramatic hardening of US policy that could destabilize regional dynamics and affect global oil markets.

What's next

The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency session on Tuesday to discuss what Venezuela describes as "ongoing US aggression"

Read full article from source: BBC