The U.S. Coast Guard continues its pursuit of a sanctioned oil tanker more than a week after its initial interception attempt, as part of President Donald Trump’s pressure strategy on Venezuela. The tanker reportedly tried to seek protection by displaying a Russian flag. Identified as Bella 1 by British maritime group Vanguard and a U.S. maritime security source, the vessel was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department over its ties to Iran.
Trump confirmed the pursuit on December 22, labeling the tanker as part of Venezuela’s “dark fleet” used to circumvent U.S. sanctions. This operation followed another similar incident during the same weekend. The ongoing chase at sea occurred after the U.S. targeted a facility in Venezuela where drug-loaded boats are believed to operate, marking the first known land operation in Venezuela since the pressure campaign began.
CNN reported that the CIA conducted a drone strike at a Venezuelan port facility earlier in the month, targeting a dock allegedly used by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua for drug storage and shipping. Trump neither confirmed nor denied U.S. military or CIA involvement in the strike. Additionally, the U.S. military carried out a separate strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean on a drug-smuggling boat, resulting in casualties.
Amid these actions, Trump has authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela and deployed warships while bolstering military presence in the region. The administration aims to combat drug cartels and disrupt narcotics trafficking into the U.S., while Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claims the operations aim to oust him from power. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles stated that Trump intends to continue targeting vessels until Maduro capitulates.