Tue, 23 Dec 2025

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 Trump says US is pursuing third oil tanker linked to Venezuela

The move comes days after the US president said that he was ordering a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.

* The US Coast Guard is still pursuing a vessel in international waters near Venezuela, which has been accused of evading sanctions.
* The vessel, identified as the Bella 1, was added to the US sanctions list last year for allegedly carrying sanctioned cargo and having links to Iran.
* The US has seized two oil tankers this month, including one on Saturday, and is holding onto the seized oil and vessels.
* President Trump said that the US will "keep" the seized oil and ships, and may sell or use it in strategic reserves.
* Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, has denounced the seizures as "piracy" and accused the US of trying to seize Venezuela's oil riches.
* The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency session on Tuesday to discuss what Caracas has described as "ongoing US aggression".
* China and Russia have expressed support for Venezuela, but experts say their backing may be largely symbolic.
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