Sanctioned ‘Dark Fleet’ Vessel Targeted
According to US officials, the tanker currently being pursued is part of what authorities describe as a “dark fleet” operating to bypass sanctions imposed on Venezuela’s oil trade. The vessel is reportedly sailing under a false flag and is subject to a judicial seizure order.
While officials declined to disclose the precise location of the pursuit or formally name the tanker, maritime security sources and risk management firm Vanguard identified the ship as Bella 1, a very large crude carrier previously sanctioned by the US Treasury Department for alleged links to Iran.
History of Sanctions and Oil Transport
Tracking data indicated that Bella 1 was empty while approaching Venezuelan waters. The tanker has a documented history of transporting Venezuelan crude to China in 2021 and has also previously carried Iranian oil, according to vessel monitoring services.
US officials noted that the tanker had not yet been boarded, adding that interception operations can involve close surveillance by ships or aircraft rather than immediate physical seizure.
Trump’s Pressure Campaign on Maduro
President Trump last week announced what he described as a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The move forms part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing economic and political pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The campaign has included a visible buildup of US military assets in the region, including increased activity in Puerto Rico, as well as multiple strikes and enforcement actions against vessels suspected of illicit oil trading in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Earlier Seizures and Market Impact
The first Venezuela-linked tanker seized this month, The Skipper, reached the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area near Houston on Sunday. Due to their size, very large crude carriers typically offload oil to smaller tankers at sea rather than entering US ports directly.
US officials have maintained that the seized vessels were operating on the black market and supplying oil to sanctioned countries. Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, said these actions were unlikely to significantly impact US fuel prices.
Oil Prices Edge Higher
Despite official assurances, global oil markets reacted cautiously to the developments. Brent crude futures rose around 0.7% in early Asian trading, while US West Texas Intermediate also posted similar gains.
Market analysts warned that continued seizures could be viewed as an escalation, potentially putting more Venezuelan oil barrels at risk and adding geopolitical premiums to prices.
Venezuela Pushes Back
President Maduro has insisted that Venezuela’s oil trade will continue despite US actions. However, energy analysts caution that sustained enforcement could quickly disrupt exports, fill storage facilities, and force production cuts by the OPEC member.
According to experts, reduced export volumes would likely hit Venezuela’s already strained economy, while also heightening regional tensions.
