The United States’ activities in the Caribbean Sea persisted during the weekend by halting two oil tankers near Venezuela, prompting neighboring Latin American nations to prepare for potential ground strikes. The U.S. Coast Guard approached the vessels on Saturday, boarding one named Centuries and pursuing another, Bella 1, on Sunday, which managed to evade capture and remains in motion. The U.S. labeled Centuries as part of a “dark fleet” engaging in illicit activities to fund narcoterrorism, while the interception of Bella 1 was linked to Venezuela’s unlawful sanctions evasion.
These actions are part of a broader U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, which has included targeting numerous smaller boats suspected of drug trafficking, resulting in casualties among onboard individuals. President Donald Trump convened a meeting with top national security officials in Florida, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to discuss the ongoing pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The U.S. began its efforts to curb illegal drug flows from Venezuela four months ago but has since expanded the scope of its operations. The recent seizure of the oil tanker Skipper, escorted to Galveston, Texas by the Coast Guard, highlighted the complexities of the situation. While transporting Venezuelan crude, the vessel had previously carried Iranian oil, violating U.S. sanctions.
Trump’s administration has defended its military actions without fully articulating the rationale behind the pressure campaign on Maduro. The President hinted at potential land strikes on Venezuela in the near future, fueling tensions in the region. Maduro has accused the U.S. of orchestrating a military buildup to oust him and gain control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the largest globally.
In response to the U.S.’s seizure of tankers, China, the primary purchaser of Venezuelan crude, condemned the actions as a breach of international law. The Venezuelan government denounced the tanker interceptions as “serious acts of international piracy.” The vessel Bella 1, which managed to escape interception, has been identified as a large crude oil carrier linked to Iran and previously involved in transporting Venezuelan oil to China.
Russia has initiated the evacuation of diplomatic families from Venezuela, while other world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, have urged caution and de-escalation in the situation. Lula da Silva likened the U.S.’s campaign to the Falklands War, cautioning against external military interventions in South America.