Archive · 23 Dec 2025
US intercepts oil tanker near Venezuela
The United States stopped a ship called the Bella 1 in the water near Venezuela.
This ship was carrying oil and was not allowed to go to or come from Venezuela.
The U.S. president said no ships with oil from Venezuela can come or go.
The U.S. wants to make sure the Venezuelan government does not get money from selling oil.
This is the second time this weekend that the U.S. has stopped a ship like this.
The U.S. is trying to make it hard for the Venezuelan government to get money from oil.
The Bella 1 was empty when it was stopped, but it had carried oil from Venezuela and Iran in the past.
The U.S. is also stopping other ships that might be breaking the rules.
The U.S. intercepted the Bella 1 oil tanker in the southern Caribbean, international waters off Venezuela.
The Bella 1 is a Panamanian-flagged vessel already sanctioned by the U.S. and linked to Iran.
This interception is part of President Trump's 'TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS' going into and out of Venezuela.
The move follows the seizure of the Skipper on December 10 and the boarding of the Centuries supertanker on Saturday.
The U.S. aims to prevent the Venezuelan government from receiving oil revenues, and the Bella 1 was empty when approaching Venezuela.
- Who
- United States (Coast Guard and Navy)
- What
- Intercepted the Bella 1 oil tanker
- When
- December 21, 2023
- Where
- Southern Caribbean, international waters off Venezuela
- Why
- To enforce a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers and prevent oil revenues from reaching the Venezuelan government
- Country
- Venezuela
- Location
- Southern Caribbean, international waters off Venezuela
- Date
- December 21, 2023
- Intercepted by
- United States (Coast Guard and Navy)
- Reason
- Blockade of sanctioned oil tankers
- Vessel Name
- Bella 1
- Vessel Flag
- Panamanian
- Vessel Status
- Empty when approaching Venezuela
- Previous Cargo
- Veneuelan and Iranian crude
Sources
US intercepts another vessel near Venezuela, officials say
US pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say
US Navy Intercepts Bella 1 Oil Tanker Off Venezuela As Trump Tightens Blockade
US pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, it's under sanctions, say officials
US pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say
US Coast Guard pursues sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela in Caribbean: Report
US Coast Guard in 'active pursuit' of another tanker vessel near Venezuela amid Trump blockade: Officials
US Coast Guard Chases Tanker Aiding Venezuela Sanctions Evasion
US Coast Guard pursues sanctioned ‘dark fleet’ oil tanker near Venezuela: Report
Oil Up On News The US Intercepted An Oil Tanker Off Venezuela
China says US seizure of ships ‘serious violation’ of international law
Oil loading in Venezuela slows, more ships make U-turns after new US interceptions
Why, really, is Trump going after Venezuela?
Venezuela Says Russia Expressed 'Full Support' Against US 'Hostilities'