The US Coast Guard is “actively pursuing” another ship in international waters near Venezuela, an official has told BBC partner CBS News, as tensions continue to rise in the region.
The US authorities have already confiscated two oil tankers this month, one of them… on saturday.
A US official said Sunday’s manhunt involved a “Black Fleet sanctioned vessel that is part of the illegal evasion of sanctions against Venezuela.” “She is flying a false flag and under a warrant.”
Washington accused Venezuela of using oil money to finance drug-related crimes, while Venezuela described the seizure of the tankers as “theft and kidnapping.”
Last week, US President Donald Trump ordered a “blockade” on oil tankers subject to sanctions from entering and leaving the country.
Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves, accused the Trump administration of trying to steal its resources.
US authorities have not yet officially confirmed Sunday’s chase, and the exact location and name of the tanker involved are not yet known.
As of last week, more than 30 of the 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were subject to U.S. sanctions, according to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com.
The seizure on Saturday saw the boarding of a Panama-flagged tanker by a specialized tactical team in international waters.
This ship is not on the US Treasury Department’s list of sanctioned ships, but the US said it was carrying “Sanctioned PDVSA oil.” In the past five years, the ship has also sailed under the flags of Greece and Liberia, according to records seen by BBC Verify.
The Venezuelan government said in response to Saturday’s incident, “These actions will not go unpunished.” She added that she intends to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council and “other multilateral agencies and world governments.”
Venezuela relies heavily on revenues from its oil exports to finance its government spending.
In recent weeks, the United States has strengthened its military presence in the Caribbean Sea, carrying out deadly strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug smuggling boats, killing about 100 people.
No public evidence was provided that the ships were carrying drugs, and the military has come under increasing scrutiny from Congress because of the strikes.
The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading a terrorist organization called the Cartel de los Soles, which he denies.