In brief
Amid escalating tensions, the US Coast Guard has initiated a pursuit of a third oil tanker in international waters linked to Venezuela. This move follows the recent seizure of two oil tankers as part of a strategy aimed at combating Venezuela's alleged evasion of US sanctions. Venezuelan authorities have condemned these actions as 'theft,' as the US increases its military presence in the Caribbean.
The US Coast Guard is in active pursuit of another vessel in international waters near Venezuela, an official has told the BBC's US partner CBS News, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.US authorities have already seized two oil tankers this month - one of them on Saturday. Sunday's pursuit relates to a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion, according to a US official. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.\div>Washington has accused Venezuela of using oil money to fund drug-related crime, while Venezuela has described the tanker seizures as theft and kidnapping.US President Donald Trump last week ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country.Venezuela - home to the world's largest proven oil reserves - has accused the Trump administration of trying to steal its resources.While US authorities have not yet confirmed Sunday's pursuit, more than 30 of the 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were under US sanctions as of last week, according to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com.The seizure on Saturday saw a Panamanian-flagged tanker boarded by a specialized tactical team in international waters. Although the ship is not officially sanctioned, it was allegedly carrying sanctioned PDVSA oil.In a direct response, the Venezuelan government declared that These acts will not go unpunished, and intends to file a complaint with the UN Security Council.The US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and has reportedly executed strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels, raising concerns and scrutiny over such military actions.The Trump administration has criticized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, branding him as the leader of a terrorist organization, a claim Maduro vehemently denies.
