The U.S. Coast Guard intensified its enforcement of an oil blockade against Venezuela on Sunday by attempting to board the sanctioned tanker, Bella 1, in the Caribbean. This vessel, which is unregulated and en route to Venezuela to load oil, was pursued following the boarding of another tanker, Centuries, during a pre-dawn operation earlier that weekend. A U.S. official indicated that Bella 1 is flagged under judicial seizure and is part of Venezuela’s illicit sanctions evasion activities.
Bella 1, previously sanctioned in June 2024 for its role in Iranian oil transport, had been reported to have reversed course after the seizure of Skipper, another tanker. However, it later resumed its journey toward Venezuela. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control had previously listed Bella 1 as missing a flag. The recent interceptions align with actions ordered by former President Donald Trump, who emphasized a comprehensive blockade of sanctioned oil vessels related to Venezuela, amid discussions regarding military engagement to target drug traffickers and pressure autocratic leader Nicolás Maduro to resign.
Energy consultancy Rystad Energy’s Schreiner Parker noted that modern technology now enables authorities to track oil tankers effectively, thereby restricting their ability to evade detection. If these sanctions are successfully enforced, the impact on Venezuela’s economy could be severe, particularly as Maduro relies on oil exports to sustain his regime.
The Venezuelan government has condemned the U.S. actions, describing them as theft and prioritizing a narrative of sovereignty. Notably, U.S. military presence around the Caribbean has surged, the highest since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
- Why this story matters: The blockade could significantly disrupt Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy.
- Key takeaway: Enhanced U.S. enforcement may signal a shift towards a more aggressive stance on Venezuela and its oil exports.
- Opposing viewpoint: Critics within the U.S. express concerns that these actions may provoke conflict rather than promote resolution.
