US begins operation to seize Venezuela-linked oil tanker

Show all
FILE PHOTO: The vessel tanker Bella 1 at Singapore Strait, after U.S. officials say the U.S. Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, in this picture taken from social media on March 18, 2025. Hakon Rimmereid/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES./File Photo. Verification: Reuters was able to verify the BELLA 1 vessel tanker by the structures, cranes and design of the vessel that matched the file imagery. The date was verified by original file metadata and the location was provided by the source. A U.S. official confirmed the U.S. Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, and British maritime risk management group Vanguard, along with a U.S. maritime security source, identified the vessel as Bella 1. The vessel tracking data showed the most recent location of the tanker at the Caribbean sea on December 17, 2025.
• Breaking News Breaking News
Hakon Rimmereid/Reuters/File
• Breaking News Breaking News
Breaking News The US tracked the vessel across the Atlantic, a source with knowledge of the operation told CNN
What happens to the planet if Trump gets his hands on all of Venezuela’s oil?
Venezuela has the largest oil reserves of any country on Earth. But the type of oil it has is difficult, and dirty, to process. Experts say ramping up production would be expensive, and dangerous for the climate and environment.
Trump says Venezuela will turn over 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to US
President Donald Trump said Tuesday night that Venezuela will turn over 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, to be sold at market value and with the proceeds controlled by the US.
• Analysis Analysis
Analysis It looks like Trump is running a private equity playbook in Venezuela
Trump is running a private equity playbook on Venezuela
• Video 1:09
Video Former US ambassador to NATO: allies may no longer trust United States 1:09
The White House says it is looking at “options” to acquire Greenland, and that military use is not off the table. Where does that leave the US and its allies? A former US ambassador gives his take to CNN.
• Analysis Analysis
Analysis Trump’s credibility problem on Venezuela
In 2008, Donald Trump took to CNN to bemoan the dangers of a president lying the United States into war.

More top stories

Travel & Beyond

socotra hz 2.jpg
• Video 1:40
Getty Images
• Video 1:40
Video This island is popular with travel influencers. Tourists are stuck there 1:40

Crans-Montana fire

Science & Discovery

Hora Mountain from afar on Saturday, July 23, 2016.
Jacob Davis
Oldest known cremation pyre in Africa reveals mysterious woman who lived 9,500 years ago

Art & Style

US POLITICS

Business & Economy

Health & Wellness

Celebrities & entertainment

Crime & Courts

Science & Discovery

Sports

Connecting Africa

CNN Shorts

Health

More from CNN

A model wearing IXI's "autofocus" glasses.
IXI
‘Autofocus’ glasses could spell the end for bifocals