U.S. forces have seized a second oil tanker and are pursuing a third amid a stepped-up campaign against Venezuela’s oil shipments. The Coast Guard, backed by military assets, is reported to be moving on the sanctioned tanker Bella 1 in Panamanian waters; earlier interdictions included the Centuries and Skipper. The actions form part of OPERATION SOUTHERN SPEAR and follow President Trump’s Dec. 16 declaration of a blockade; legal experts and critics warn of potential legal and political consequences.
U.S. Forces Seize Second Oil Tanker, Press for Third as Tensions With Venezuela Rise
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
U.S. forces have seized a second oil tanker and are actively pursuing a third as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Venezuela over alleged illicit oil shipments.
Coast Guard, Military Move on "Bella 1"
Two sources with direct knowledge of the operations told Axios that the U.S. Coast Guard, supported by military assets, is moving to seize the tanker Bella 1 in Panamanian waters. The vessel was placed under Treasury Department sanctions in 2024 and was reportedly en route to Venezuela to reload.
X/Pete Hegseth
Those actions follow interdictions of the tanker Centuries earlier on Saturday and the tanker Skipper last Wednesday — both vessels identified as part of Venezuela’s oil transport network.
Official Statements and Operation Name
“President Trump has been clear: the blockade of sanctioned oil tankers departing from, or bound for, Venezuela will remain in full force until Maduro’s criminal enterprise returns every stolen American asset,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X.
Hegseth also said the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard will continue maritime interdiction operations under OPERATION SOUTHERN SPEAR to disrupt what the administration describes as illicit criminal networks.
Critics accuse Trump of using tensions with Venezuela to deflect from the Epstein scandal. / Patrick McMullan / Patrick McMullan via Getty Image
Legal and Political Implications
On Dec. 16, President Trump announced a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The administration says the measures target petroleum shipments allegedly used to fund narcotrafficking, terrorism, human trafficking and other criminal networks tied to the Nicolás Maduro government.
Legal experts have warned that prior strikes and some interdiction tactics in the Caribbean could raise questions under both U.S. domestic law and international law.
Legal experts have raised concerns ongoing strikes on alleged narcotrafficking vessels may represent violations of international law. / Donald J Trump/Truth Social
Critics have also suggested the timing of stepped-up maritime actions could be politically motivated. Those critiques point to the imminent public release of Justice Department materials related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and say the White House may be attempting to shift public attention.
Requests for comment were sent to the White House and the Department of Defense. Axios and other outlets have been cited as sources for operational details.
