U.S. Coast Guard in Active Pursuit of Bella 1 Oil Tanker Refusing to be Boarded

On Saturday, December 20, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard initiated an operation to intercept the Bella 1, an oil tanker linked to Venezuela, which refused to be boarded while fleeing in the Caribbean Sea. This incident follows recent statements from former President Donald Trump, who indicated a renewed effort to crack down on vessels involved in the oil trade with sanctioned countries, particularly Venezuela.

Key Details

The Bella 1 was reportedly en route to Venezuela to pick up oil and was not carrying any cargo at the time of the Coast Guard"s approach. According to ship-tracking data and statements from three U.S. officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the operation, the vessel has been under U.S. sanctions since 2024 for its involvement in transporting Iranian oil. U.S. authorities contend that the sale of this oil is used to finance terrorism.

When U.S. forces attempted to board the Bella 1 late on Saturday, the vessel was not flying a valid national flag. This lack of identification rendered it a stateless vessel, which, under international law, can be boarded at sea. The U.S. Coast Guard had obtained a seizure warrant from a federal magistrate judge, allowing them to take possession of the ship due to its previous activities in the Iranian oil trade, rather than its current links to Venezuela.

Despite the legal authority to board the vessel, the Bella 1 did not comply and continued its course in the Caribbean. One official described the situation as “an active pursuit,” indicating ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to intercept the tanker. Earlier on the same day, the Coast Guard successfully boarded another tanker, and on December 10, 2025, the United States had taken possession of a third tanker, which is currently docked in Texas.

Background

The U.S. government has been increasingly vigilant regarding oil tankers that are believed to be involved in the illicit oil trade, particularly those linked to countries under U.S. sanctions such as Venezuela and Iran. The sanctions against Venezuela have been part of a broader strategy to pressure the government of Nicolás Maduro, which the U.S. considers illegitimate. The U.S. has previously targeted vessels that transport oil from Iran to Venezuela, as these transactions are seen as a means of circumventing sanctions and funding activities that threaten U.S. interests and allies.

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What"s Next

The ongoing pursuit of the Bella 1 highlights the U.S. Coast Guard"s commitment to enforcing maritime law and sanctions against countries that engage in prohibited oil trading. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether the Coast Guard will successfully intercept the vessel or if it will evade capture. The implications of this operation could influence future U.S. maritime strategies and enforcement actions against other vessels suspected of violating sanctions.

For further information on similar situations, see our previous reports on the U.S. Coast Guard"s operations.