'Sanctioned dark fleet vessel': U.S. Coast Guard 'in active pursuit' of THIRD oil tanker off Venezuela * WorldNetDaily * by Joe Kovacs
Video released by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem shows the U.S. Coast Guard apprehending an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela, on Dec. 20, 2025
PALM BEACH, Florida – The U.S. Coast Guard was in hot pursuit of a “sanctioned dark fleet” tanker near Venezuela on Sunday, the “second such operation this weekend and the third in less than two weeks if successful,” according to Reuters.
“The United States Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion,” a U.S. official said.
“It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.”
BREAKING: An sanctioned oil tanker is currently RUNNING from U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela, flying a “FALSE FLAG” to evade sanctions
“A sanctioned Iranian-linked tanker…is REFUSING to be boarded, being CHASED by US forces.”
“A US official says, ‘USCG is in ACTIVE… pic.twitter.com/coiSBRfr7G
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 21, 2025
Reuters reports: “Another official said the tanker was under sanctions, but added that it had not been boarded so far and that interceptions can take different forms – including by sailing or flying close to vessels of concern.
“The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, did not give a specific location for the operation or name the vessel being pursued.
“British maritime risk management group Vanguard, along with a U.S. maritime security source, identified the vessel as Bella 1, a very large crude oil carrier that was added last year to the sanctions list of the U.S. Treasury Department, which said the vessel has links to Iran.”
On Saturday, the U.S, seized a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela,” Noem said.
“The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region. We will find you, and we will stop you.”
In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela.
The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund… pic.twitter.com/nSZ4mi6axc
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) December 20, 2025
As WorldNetDaily reported Dec. 10, President Trump announced the U.S. seized the first oil tanker off Venezuela, with which the U.S. has been at odds over its drug traffickers trying to make deliveries that harm Americans.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted video of the seizure and indicated: “Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple… pic.twitter.com/dNr0oAGl5x
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) December 10, 2025
“For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely—and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues.”
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Trump reportedly escalates pressure on Venezuela with another oil tanker seizure
