US Coast Guard Tightens the Net as High-Stakes Chase of Venezuela-Linked Oil Tankers Escalates in the Caribbean

The United States has stepped up pressure on Venezuela. The focus is now at sea. A tense chase is unfolding in the Caribbean. It signals a tougher phase in Washington’s oil crackdown.

On Sunday, a US official confirmed an active pursuit. The Coast Guard is tracking an allegedly sanctioned tanker. The ship is linked to Venezuela. The move follows another seizure a day earlier. It was the second in less than two weeks. As a result, the pressure has clearly intensified.

US officials say the vessel is part of a “dark fleet.” These ships hide ownership. They often fly false flags. Authorities claim the tanker is under a judicial seizure order. Late Saturday, US forces moved in. The ship refused to stop. It kept sailing. Tracking data later showed it heading toward Venezuela. It was not carrying cargo.

Attention also turned to another vessel. The Coast Guard seized the tanker Centuries earlier on Saturday. Analysts say it is Chinese owned. It sails under a Panama flag. The ship had loaded about 1.8 million barrels of crude. The oil came from a Venezuelan port. US forces later escorted it out of Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone on December 18. However, questions remain. The vessel does not appear on the US sanctions list. This has raised legal concerns.

These actions follow a recent White House decision. On December 16, President Donald Trump announced a blockade. It targets “sanctioned oil vessels” linked to Venezuela. He demanded the return of what he called stolen US assets. At the same time, a large naval force moved into the Caribbean. Officially, the mission targets drug trafficking. Caracas sees it differently. It calls the deployment political pressure.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan officials highlighted another development. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said Chevron had sent a tanker to the United States. The ship carried Venezuelan oil. She said it followed international rules. Chevron renewed its license this year. Its output now accounts for about 10 percent of Venezuela’s production.

Washington claims oil revenues fund crime. Caracas strongly denies this. Instead, it accuses the United States of seeking regime change. It also says Washington wants control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.