A high-seas chase unfolds as the Trump administration tightens its grip on sanctioned oil.
Here’s what you missed 👇
Read this if you’re tracking global oil prices, the Venezuela blockade, or U.S. maritime operations.
📍 What Just Happened
The U.S. Coast Guard is in "active pursuit" of a sanctioned tanker, the Bella 1, in international waters near Venezuela.
The vessel, linked to Iranian oil and flying a "false flag," ignored orders to stop for boarding. This follows the successful seizure of another tanker, the Centuries, which was intercepted carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil destined for Asia.
🚫 The Blockade Escalation
The Order: President Trump recently ordered a "complete" blockade of all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela to cut off Nicolas Maduro's economic lifeline.
The "Dark Fleet": U.S. officials are targeting vessels that switch off their tracking systems (AIS) to move oil from sanctioned nations like Iran and Venezuela.
The Footage: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem shared video of a Coast Guard helicopter hovering over the Centuries during a "predawn action."
✍️ International Outcry
Venezuela has slammed the seizures as "theft and hijacking," threatening to take the matter to the UN Security Council. China, the primary buyer of the intercepted oil, also criticized the U.S., calling the seizures an "arbitrary" violation of international law.
🧠 Why It Matters
This is a significant shift from passive sanctions to active military interdiction. By physically seizing tankers, the Trump administration is testing the limits of international maritime law to force a collapse of the Maduro regime.
While global oil prices remain steady for now, continued seizures could provoke a more aggressive response from China or Iran.
🧾 The Bottom Line
The U.S. has moved from a "paper blockade" to a "hot pursuit." The seizure of millions of barrels of oil sends a clear message to shipping companies: trading with sanctioned regimes now carries the risk of total asset loss on the high seas.