US Cracks Down on Venezuelan Oil Tankers

The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing a sanctioned oil tanker, Bella 1, in international waters near Venezuela, as part of the Trump administration's pressure campaign against the Venezuelan government. The tanker refused to be boarded and fled towards the Caribbean, prompting an active pursuit. This is the third Venezuelan tanker to be targeted by the U.S. this month, following the seizure of two other tankers, Centuries and The Skipper. The Venezuelan government has condemned the seizures as 'piracy' and vowed to take action, including filing a complaint with the United Nations Security Council. The U.S. has justified the seizures as targeting vessels operating on the black market and funding the 'narcoterrorist Maduro regime'.

The U.S. military struck a vessel allegedly carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific on Monday, killing one person. This is part of a months-long campaign of boat strikes near Latin America, with at least 29 alleged drug vessels hit since early September, resulting in 105 deaths. President Trump has argued that these strikes are effective in quelling drug trafficking, but critics have questioned his legal authority to carry out the strikes. The military claimed the targeted vessel was operated by a designated terrorist organization and was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes. The strikes have drawn criticism from congressional Democrats, some Republicans, and the Colombian and Venezuelan governments. The Trump administration has also put pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of collaborating with drug cartels and threatening further action against his government.

The United States' crackdown on tankers carrying Venezuelan crude oil has severely impacted Venezuela's oil industry, causing a significant disruption to its main source of revenue. The crackdown, led by President Donald Trump's administration, has resulted in the detention of three tankers involved in exporting Venezuelan crude. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is struggling to cope with the increased pressure from the US, which has led to a buildup of tankers filled with oil in Venezuelan ports. The situation has jeopardized the country's economy, as oil exports are a crucial component of its revenue.