U.S. Escalates Maritime Pressure on Venezuela, Pursuing Third Oil Tanker in Two Weeks

The United States is in active pursuit of a sanctioned oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, U.S. officials reported Sunday. The operation marks the second such U.S. action in as many days and the third in less than two weeks, signaling a sharp escalation in Washington's campaign to enforce a maritime blockade against President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

"The United States Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion," a U.S. official told Reuters on Sunday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that the vessel "is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order." The Associated Press independently confirmed the pursuit, citing another official briefed on the operation.

While the chase is active, officials noted that the tanker has not yet been boarded. Interceptions can take various forms, including sailing or flying military assets close to a vessel of concern. The name of the tanker and its precise location have not been disclosed.

This latest pursuit comes just a day after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the seizure of another tanker on Saturday. In a TV interview on Sunday, Kevin Hassett, director of the White House's National Economic Council, stated that the two previously seized tankers were "operating on the black market and providing oil to countries under sanctions."