Over the weekend, the United States carried out operations in the Caribbean Sea by intercepting two oil tankers near Venezuela, prompting neighboring Latin American nations to brace for potential land incursions. The U.S. Coast Guard took action on Saturday by boarding a vessel called Centuries and on Sunday pursued another tanker, Bella 1, which managed to evade capture and remains in motion.
According to U.S. officials, Centuries is part of a fleet engaged in illicit activities, including funding narcoterrorism. The interception of these tankers is part of a broader U.S. military presence in the region that has also targeted numerous smaller boats suspected of trafficking drugs, resulting in casualties among those onboard.
President Donald Trump recently convened a meeting with top national security officials in Florida, highlighting the administration’s continued pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The U.S.’s initial focus on combating drug trafficking has evolved into broader objectives, with the recent seizure of the large oil tanker Skipper in December.
Trump has announced a “blockade” on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, significantly impacting the country’s crude exports. China, a major importer of Venezuelan oil, has criticized the U.S.’s actions as a violation of international law, emphasizing Venezuela’s right to engage in international relations without undue interference.
The interception of the oil tankers has drawn condemnation from Venezuela, labeling it as a “serious act of international piracy.” The vessel Centuries was found to be carrying Venezuelan crude oil under a false identity, while Bella 1, linked to Iran, has been transmitting distress signals as it navigates the Atlantic Ocean.
International reactions to the U.S.’s maneuvers have been mixed, with Russia reportedly evacuating diplomatic families from Venezuela, and leaders like Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva cautioning against military intervention in the region. The ongoing tensions underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Caribbean and South America.