Washington, DC, December 22 (ANI): The United States on Sunday local time began pursuing what it described as a “dark fleet” vessel in international waters near Venezuela after the ship refused to stop and continued sailing, CNN reported.
The vessel, identified as Bella 1, was sailing toward Venezuela to load oil when US Coast Guard personnel attempted to board it. According to CNN, instead of complying, the vessel continued on its course, prompting officials to launch an active pursuit. US authorities said Bella 1 is under American sanctions for links to Iranian oil and is considered part of a “shadow fleet” used to transport crude from sanctioned countries. A judicial warrant had already been issued for the vessel’s seizure.
“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 second US official said. “It is flying a false flag and is under a judicial seizure order.”
The operation came just a day after the US Coast Guard intercepted another tanker in international waters off the Venezuelan coast, marking the second such action in as many days.
Earlier, the Venezuelan government labeled the move an “act of piracy” and a direct attempt by the United States to seize the country’s energy resources and destabilize its leadership.
In an official statement, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry denounced what it called the “theft and hijacking” of a private vessel transporting Venezuelan oil through international waters. Caracas also accused US military personnel of the “forced disappearance” of the ship’s crew, according to Russia Today.
The Venezuelan government said the interception was not an isolated incident, describing it instead as part of a “colonialist model” allegedly being pursued by Washington to strip Venezuela of its sovereignty and natural wealth.
The US position, however, has been framed as strict enforcement of sanctions. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the predawn operation on Saturday, characterizing the seizure as an enforcement action against Venezuelan oil exports.
The move follows a major escalation by President Donald Trump, who days earlier ordered a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, according to Russia Today.
Trump has cited economic motivations for the action, alleging that Venezuela “stole” US energy assets. He warned that unless those assets are returned, Caracas would face the power of what he described as “the largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America.”
Inside Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro has strongly criticized Washington, accusing it of attempting to install a “puppet government” that would abandon the country’s constitution and surrender its resources. Maduro has described the blockade and ship seizures as “corsair tactics” and a “diplomacy of barbarism.”
The situation has also raised concerns among major global powers. Russia and China have warned that the increased US military presence and vessel seizures risk triggering wider regional instability and have urged restraint and adherence to international law.
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