The status of the attempted interception is unclear, according to Sky’s US partner network NBC News, but reports first emerged at around 2.30pm in the UK that the operation was under way.<\/p>\n
As it happened: US in ‘active pursuit’ of third vessel<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n \n What is behind interceptions of tankers carrying Venezuelan oil?<\/p>\n Two officials told NBC News the US Coast Guard was in “active pursuit” of the vessel, which is sanctioned by the US.<\/p>\n One told the outlet it was “a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s<\/a> <\/strong>illegal sanctions evasion”.<\/p>\n “It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order,” they said, adding that dark fleet vessels usually do not operate exclusively for one country.<\/p>\n It is understood the vessel is sailing under the name Bella 1, according to British maritime risk management group Vanguard, according to NBC News and Bloomberg.<\/p>\n Sky News has seen Bella 1 is sanctioned by the US government, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) website, and has been included on the list since June 2024.<\/p>\n Read more: The real reason for Donald Trump’s Venezuela exploits<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n \n Dramatic footage of US forces seizing oil tanker on Saturday\n <\/p>\n One US official told NBC the vessel was sanctioned under the counterterrorism authority for its involvement in the network of Houthi<\/a> <\/strong>financial facilitator Sa’id al Jamal.<\/p>\n Another US official separately told the New York Times the ship did not submit to being boarded and continued onward.<\/p>\n If successful, it would mark the third such interception near Venezuela in the past two weeks, with a tanker being seized on Saturday<\/strong><\/a> and near the start of the month<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Explained: The US-Venezuela crisis<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n \n From 10 December: Moment US seizes oil tanker off Venezuela\n <\/p>\n Trump’s ‘blockade’ of tankers <\/strong><\/p>\n Earlier this week, the US president declared he had ordered the “blockade” of oil tankers into and out of the South American country.<\/p>\n He said the US military would remain in place until Venezuela returns “all of the oil, land, and other assets that they previously stole from us”.<\/p>\n In the social media post following months of escalating tensions in the Caribbean, Donald Trump said Venezuela was surrounded by the “largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America”.<\/p>\n Image: Venezuela’s government has accused Mr Trump of “violating international law, free trade, and the principle of free navigation” with “a reckless and grave threat” against the South American country.<\/p>\n China’s foreign minister Wang Yi later accused the US of “bullying” Venezuela<\/strong><\/a>, and said on Wednesday: “China believes the international community understands and supports Venezuela’s position in defending its legitimate rights and interests.”<\/p>\n Washington has also announced sanctions on numerous oil tankers, shipping companies and family members of Mr Maduro<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/b606855ade901fe0eda246c77d0a052607b79fcd1ea5d74c05d97d2391fd0525_7117003.jpg\")
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\n A map showing Venezuelan military facilities<\/p>\n