The United States’ operations in the Caribbean Sea persisted during the weekend as they intercepted two oil tankers near Venezuela, triggering attention from other Latin American nations preparing for potential ground interventions. On Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard approached and boarded a tanker named Centuries, then pursued another vessel, Bella 1, on Sunday, which managed to evade capture and remains in motion.
According to U.S. officials, the intercepted vessels are part of a “dark fleet” engaged in sanctioned cargo activities linked to narcoterrorism and illegal sanctions evasion in Venezuela. These interceptions are part of an extensive U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, targeting numerous smaller boats suspected of drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of over 100 individuals onboard.
President Donald Trump recently convened a meeting with top national security officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Navy Secretary John Phelan, in Florida. The U.S.’s actions against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro initially aimed to combat illegal drug flows but have evolved into a broader strategy.
In a significant move, Trump declared a “blockade” on all oil tankers under sanctions entering or leaving Venezuela. This decision has led to a notable decrease in Venezuelan crude exports, impacting major buyers like China. The U.S. has faced criticism over its actions, with Venezuela denouncing the tanker interceptions as “international piracy.”
The vessel Bella 1, which managed to avoid interception, is reported to be a large crude oil carrier linked to Iran and subject to U.S. sanctions. While the U.S. had authorization to intercept Centuries, they lacked the same warrant for Bella 1. The vessel had previously transported Venezuelan and Iranian crude oil.
The U.S.’s military actions in the region have prompted reactions from various countries, with Russia evacuating diplomatic families from Venezuela. Global leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, have expressed concerns over the escalating situation, advocating for restraint to prevent a humanitarian crisis. Lula da Silva likened the U.S.’s actions to external military interventions in South America, emphasizing the need for regional stability.