The U.S. Coast Guard is actively chasing a sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela as President Donald Trump ramps up a comprehensive blockade aimed at curbing illegal oil shipments in his campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
“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 revealed in a statement to Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson. “The vessel is flying a false flag and is under a judicial seizure order.”
FILE – An oil tanker is pictured anchored in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, after loading crude oil at the Bajo Grande Refinery port. (Photo by Jose Bula Urrutia/UCG/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)
According to Reuters, another official mentioned that the tanker is operating under sanctions and has yet to be boarded. The official indicated that the Coast Guard could take interception measures by flying or sailing close to vessels deemed suspicious.
Officials, speaking anonymously, withheld the name of the vessel and its exact location as it continues to be pursued.
