The US Coast Guard seized the oil tanker Bella 1, marking the third tanker targeted by US authorities this month amid growing pressure on Venezuela’s oil trade.
The vessel, a very large crude carrier operating under US sanctions, was sailing in ballast toward a Venezuelan port when it was approached by US forces. According to a US official, Bella 1 was flying a false flag at the time of the encounter and is listed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for its alleged links to Iran.
US authorities say the tanker has a record of sanctions-evasion practices. These include carrying Iranian and Venezuelan crude, switching off AIS transmissions for extended periods, spoofing its position, and conducting covert ship-to-ship transfers, particularly in Asian waters.
The latest move follows two similar actions earlier in December. On December 10, US forces intercepted the tanker Skipper, while another vessel, Centuries, was boarded on December 20.
Washington says the operations are part of efforts to restrict Venezuelan oil revenues, which US officials claim are used to support criminal and terrorist activities. Venezuelan authorities have rejected these actions, describing them as piracy and stating that they intend to raise the issue at the United Nations.
