Dailyza — The United States is in “active pursuit” of a third oil tanker linked to Venezuela in international waters near the country, a US official said, as Washington intensifies enforcement actions against what it describes as a sanctions-evasion network moving Venezuelan crude.
The reported pursuit follows two tanker seizures earlier this month, including one on Saturday in a move that Caracas condemned as “theft and kidnapping.” The latest incident underscores a rapidly escalating standoff in the Caribbean, where the US has expanded its military presence and sharpened rhetoric against President Nicolás Maduro and his government.
What the US says is happening
According to a US official, the vessel being pursued is a sanctioned dark fleet vessel tied to what Washington calls Venezuela’s “illegal sanctions evasion.” The official said the ship is “flying a false flag” and is subject to a judicial seizure order.
US authorities have not publicly released the tanker’s name or confirmed precise coordinates for the pursuit. The operation is reportedly taking place in international waters near Venezuela, reflecting a posture that the US is willing to act beyond territorial seas to interdict shipments it believes violate US sanctions.
Two seizures in one month, with a key detail
The reported pursuit comes on the heels of two tanker seizures this month, one of them carried out on Saturday. In that incident, a Panamanian-flagged tanker was boarded by a specialised tactical team in international waters, according to reporting on the operation.
Notably, the seized ship was not on the US Treasury Department’s list of sanctioned vessels. US officials nevertheless said it was carrying “sanctioned PDVSA oil,” referring to Venezuela’s state-run petroleum company. Records reviewed by journalists indicate the vessel has sailed under multiple flags in recent years, including Greece and Liberia—an example of how ownership, registration, and flagging practices can complicate enforcement in global shipping.
Why flags matter in tanker enforcement
In maritime commerce, a ship’s flag state can determine regulatory oversight and legal responsibilities. US officials’ allegation that the newest target is “flying a false flag” suggests Washington believes the vessel’s registration is being misrepresented—an accusation frequently associated with sanctions-evasion tactics in the oil trade.
Trump’s order and a tightening net around Venezuelan shipping
US President Donald Trump last week ordered what he described as a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, a directive that has become a central flashpoint in Caracas-Washington relations.
While the US has framed the actions as enforcement against sanctioned shipments, Venezuela—home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves—has accused the Trump administration of attempting to seize its resources and strangle its economy.
Data compiled by TankerTrackers.com indicates the scale of the sanctions pressure: as of last week, more than 30 of roughly 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were under US sanctions. That figure highlights how quickly the maritime environment around Venezuela has become saturated with enforcement risk for shipowners, insurers, and traders.
Venezuela’s response: UN complaint and warnings
Caracas reacted sharply to Saturday’s seizure. The Venezuelan government said, “These acts will not go unpunished,” and announced it intended to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral bodies.
Venezuela has described the seizures as unlawful, characterising them as “theft and kidnapping.” The government has also argued that US measures represent economic coercion and an attempt to deprive the state of revenue.
Oil exports are central to Venezuela’s public finances. The country is highly dependent on petroleum income to fund government spending, making tanker interdictions a direct threat to cash flow—particularly if they deter counterparties from touching Venezuelan crude, even indirectly.
Security tensions rise in the Caribbean
The maritime enforcement actions are unfolding alongside a broader US security build-up in the Caribbean Sea. In recent weeks, the US has carried out strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats, with reports indicating around 100 people were killed.
The strikes and the tanker seizures have placed the US military under increasing scrutiny from Congress, particularly amid questions about evidence standards and the legal basis for operations. Publicly available details on the intelligence underpinning the drug-smuggling allegations have been limited.
Washington’s allegations against Maduro
The Trump administration has accused President Nicolás Maduro of leading a designated-terrorist organisation known as the Cartel de los Soles, an allegation Maduro denies. The US has also placed sanctions on some of Maduro’s relatives and on businesses linked to what Washington calls his illegitimate regime.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that “the current status quo with the Venezuelan regime is intolerable for the United States,” adding that the administration’s goal is to change that dynamic. Venezuela’s foreign minister criticised Rubio’s comments, accusing him of pushing the US toward “regime changes.”
What happens next
With a third tanker now reportedly being pursued, the immediate question is whether the US will execute another seizure and how Venezuela and international bodies will respond. The episode also raises practical concerns for global energy logistics: shipping firms may further avoid routes and transactions that could be interpreted as linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil, tightening constraints on a country already struggling to stabilise output and revenues.
As the US expands interdictions and Venezuela escalates diplomatic complaints, the Caribbean is becoming a focal point where sanctions enforcement, energy trade, and regional security collide—without clear signs that either side is preparing to ease pressure.