The US Coast Guard is in active pursuit of another vessel in international waters near Venezuela, an official has told CBS News, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.
US authorities have already seized two oil tankers this month - one of them on Saturday. Sunday’s pursuit is linked to a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion. An official noted that the vessel is flying a false flag and is under a judicial seizure order.
Washington accuses Venezuela of utilizing oil money to fund drug-related crime, whereas Venezuela has denounced the tanker seizures as theft and kidnapping.
Last week, President Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country. The Venezuelan government claims that the Trump administration is attempting to steal its resources.
As of last week, more than 30 of the 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were under US sanctions. On Saturday, a Panamanian-flagged tanker was boarded by a specialized tactical team in international waters, though it is not on the US Treasury's sanctioned vessels list. Nevertheless, US officials stated it was carrying sanctioned PDVSA oil.
Venezuela, home to the world's largest proven oil reserves, heavily relies on oil revenues for government spending. The US has also intensified its military presence in the Caribbean Sea, carrying out strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats, which have reportedly killed around 100 individuals.
The Trump administration has called Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro the leader of a designated-terrorist organization, an allegation he denies.
