U.S. tracks third tanker near Venezuela amid crackdown

U.S. forces, spearheaded by the Coast Guard, are monitoring a third oil tanker in proximity to Venezuela. This move marks the intensification of a sanction enforcement initiative aimed at severing oil revenue streams linked to the Maduro administration, according to the U.S. officials.

The Coast Guard, in collaboration with federal partners, is actively monitoring the vessel located in international waters in the Caribbean. This area has emerged as a central hub for the intensified maritime activities conducted by the U.S. Officials are investigating the tanker for allegedly carrying Venezuelan crude in violation of the U.S. sanctions and restrictions were imposed. Due to the ongoing operation, officials have refrained from disclosing whether the ship has been boarded, diverted, or seized.

The operation follows closely behind the U.S. forces capturing two additional oil tankers linked to Venezuelan crude shipments, signaling a transition from mere warnings to active intervention. The actions have been characterized by the Trump administration as essential to dismantling what it describes as an illegal oil trade that funds President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

A spokesperson for the Navy refrained from confirming the involvement of naval assets in the recent operation. The White House has yet to provide a response to the request for comment.

U.S. officials report that shippers under sanctions frequently employ misleading tactics to avoid being caught. These tactics include regularly changing flags, maintaining unclear ownership structures, and the conduct of oil transfers between ships in open waters. Earlier this month, U.S. forces intercepted a sanctioned merchant vessel off the coast of Venezuela after the ship voluntarily came to a stop and permitted a boarding operation. Just days later, authorities intercepted yet another tanker, marking the second such incident in under two weeks.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA, as well as on individuals associated with the Maduro administration. The measures restrict nearly all the U.S. transactions related to Venezuelan oil and impose potential penalties on foreign companies and intermediaries involved in the shipping, financing, or sale of sanctioned crude oil.

President Donald Trump has publicly acknowledged the seizure of one tanker earlier this month and subsequently directed what officials have characterized as a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers moving to and from Venezuela. Treasury officials did not confirm whether the tracked vessel was associated with a specific designation by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The enforcement campaign has ignited a wave of international criticism. China, the largest buyer of crude from Venezuela, has criticized recent seizures, labeling them breaches of international law. In response, Venezuelan officials have leveled accusations against the U.S., describing the actions as acts of piracy and economic warfare. The State Department refrained from confirming whether it informed regional governments prior to the latest operation.

Experts in the energy sector have indicated that these actions are already disrupting global shipping patterns. Reports suggest that several tankers have altered their routes, and oil-loading operations at Venezuelan ports have diminished as shipowners reevaluate the associated legal and financial risks.

U.S. officials have yet to disclose the duration of the expanded maritime posture or clarify the fate of the third tanker, whether it will be seized, escorted, or released.

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