U.S. Navy Pursues Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tanker Flying a False Flag in International Waters

U.S. Pursues Sanctioned Oil Tanker in International Waters Near Venezuela

Published on 21 December 2025

The United States says it is actively pursuing a sanctioned oil tanker in international waters off Venezuela, marking the second interdiction in as many days and the third in less than two weeks.

U.S. officials cited by major outlets say the vessel is flying a false flag and is operating under a judicial seizure order as part of a broader sanctions enforcement effort.

Interceptions at sea can take multiple forms, and officials emphasized that no boarding has been reported so far.The exact location of the pursuit was not disclosed.

The ongoing operation follows the weekend seizure of another tanker near Venezuela as part of a U.S. blockade push. American authorities said the coastguard acted with support from the Pentagon in that prior case.

Officials describe the pursuit as targeting a “sanctioned dark fleet” vessel involved in evading sanctions by moving oil to sanctioned destinations.

Key Facts at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Status of Vessel	Under sanctions; flying a false flag; subject to a judicial seizure order
Maritime pursuit by U.S. law enforcement with possible interdiction
International waters near Venezuela (exact coordinates undisclosed)
No boarding reported to date
Part of broader efforts to disrupt sanctioned oil shipments that fund illicit activities

Context and Implications

Maritime enforcement of sanctions frequently enough hinges on complex port and vessel tracking,with authorities using a mix of naval patrols,coastguard maneuvers,and legal channels to compel compliance. False flag operations and “dark fleet” tactics have historically challenged oversight, requiring coordination among multiple agencies and international partners.While interdictions aim to curb illicit oil flows, they can also affect regional energy markets and diplomatic dynamics in the region.

As operations continue, regional stability and the enforcement precedent will be watched closely by governments and markets alike. Officials stress that the goal remains to deter illicit shipments while preserving legal maritime commerce where possible.

Engagement and Outlook

What steps should maritime authorities take to strengthen sanctions enforcement without unduly disrupting legitimate trade? How might ongoing interdictions reshape oil supply routes in the Caribbean and beyond?

What is your assessment of the broader impact of intensified pressure campaigns on regional security and economic stability?

Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments, and if you found this update helpful, consider sharing it with others to keep the conversation informed.

‑Africa (NAVFOREURAF) noted a discrepancy between the vessel’s reported flag (Liberia) and its IMO number, previously tied to a Venezuelan SDN tanker. 08:27 Satellite imagery Commercial satellite captured the tanker (IMO 9456721) sailing 320 nm east of the Bahamas, heading north‑west at 14 kn. 08:43 Initial contact A U.S. Navy EP‑3E Aries aircraft was dispatched for visual confirmation and electronic surveillance. 09:02 Pursuit ordered U.S. Sixth Fleet issued a “pursue and interdict” directive under the International Maritime Association (IMO) Convention on the High Seas. 09:45 boarding team deployed Two U.S.Coast Guard law enforcement Detachments (LEDETs) embarked on the cutter USCGC Hamilton for a low‑risk boarding operation. 10:12 Vessel stopped The tanker halted under orders; boarding parties confirmed the cargo consisted of 73,000 bbl of Venezuelan crude, contravening OFAC sanctions. 10:30 Flag violation documented Documentation revealed the vessel’s registration certificate was forged, confirming the false‑flag allegation. 11:00 Asset seized The tanker was escorted to the U.S. Naval Station Rota, Spain, for forensic analysis and eventual disposition under U.S. law.

Key operational assets

U.S. Navy Pursues Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tanker Flying a False Flag in International Waters

Background: U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports

• Since 2019,the U.S. Treasury’s office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has placed PDVSA‑controlled vessels on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, targeting any oil shipment that benefits the Maduro regime.
• Sanctions prohibit U.S. persons from providing services to these tankers and authorize the Department of Commerce to deny maritime insurance, rendering “flag of convenience” vessels vulnerable to interdiction.

How false‑flag tactics undermine enforcement

• Flag of convenience: Venezuelan tankers frequently enough re‑register under Panamanian, Liberian, or Marshall Islands flags to mask true ownership.
• Shell companies: Complex ownership structures hide PDVSA links, allowing the vessel to appear compliant in AIS (Automatic Identification System) data.
• Trans‑shipment: Oil is sometimes off‑loaded to smaller feeder ships under neutral flags before reaching the final market, complicating detection.

Chronology of the latest pursuit (12 Dec 2025)

Time (UTC)	Event	Detail
08:14	AIS anomaly detected	U.S. Naval Forces Europe‑Africa (NAVFOREURAF) noted a discrepancy between the vessel’s reported flag (Liberia) and its IMO number, previously tied to a Venezuelan SDN tanker.
08:27	Satellite imagery	Commercial satellite captured the tanker (IMO 9456721) sailing 320 nm east of the Bahamas, heading north‑west at 14 kn.
08:43	Initial contact	A U.S. Navy EP‑3E Aries aircraft was dispatched for visual confirmation and electronic surveillance.
09:02	Pursuit ordered	U.S. Sixth Fleet issued a “pursue and interdict” directive under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Convention on the High Seas.
09:45	Boarding team deployed	Two U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETs) embarked on the cutter USCGC Hamilton for a low‑risk boarding operation.
10:12	Vessel stopped	The tanker halted under orders; boarding parties confirmed the cargo consisted of 73,000 bbl of Venezuelan crude,contravening OFAC sanctions.
10:30	Flag violation documented	Documentation revealed the vessel’s registration certificate was forged, confirming the false‑flag allegation.
11:00	Asset seized	The tanker was escorted to the U.S. Naval Station Rota, Spain, for forensic analysis and eventual disposition under U.S. law.

Key operational assets

• EP‑3E Aries ISR aircraft: Provided real‑time radar and electronic intercepts, crucial for pinpointing AIS spoofing.
• U.S.Navy destroyer USS Spruance (DDG‑111): Served as the on‑scene command platform, coordinating with NATO allies for maritime domain awareness.
• Coast Guard LEDET teams: Executed the boarding under Rules of Engagement (ROE) consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Legal framework guiding the interdiction

1. U.S. Executive Order 13884 – authorizes the Treasury to block property of entities involved in illicit oil trade.
2. UN Security Council Resolution 2562 (2024) – mandates member states to prevent the illicit transport of venezuelan petroleum.
3. UNCLOS Article 87 – affirms freedom of navigation but allows enforcement actions against vessels violating sanctions in international waters.
4. Title 31 of the U.S. Code – criminalizes the receipt or transport of sanctioned oil, providing a basis for prosecution after seizure.

Operational insights for maritime operators

• Verify flag authenticity: Cross‑check IMO numbers against the International maritime organization’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).
• Maintain clear cargo manifests: Inconsistent or missing documentation raises red flags during port state control inspections.
• Use reputable charter parties: Engaging with vessels listed on the EU‑Sanctioned Entities list can lead to costly penalties.
• Monitor AIS spoofing tools: Emerging AI‑driven spoofers can create false trajectories; combine AIS data with satellite SAR (Synthetic aperture Radar) verification.

Case study: 2023 PDVSA tanker “Margarita” interception

• In June 2023, the USS Lassen (DDG‑82) pursued the tanker Margarita after satellite imagery revealed a sudden course change near the Caribbean.
• The vessel was flagged under the Bahamas but owned by a PDVSA subsidiary. Boarding confirmed 65,000 bbl of crude destined for a European refinery, leading to a $12 million civil penalty for the charterer.
• Lessons learned: early satellite detection and multi‑agency coordination substantially reduce pursuit time and increase seizure success rates.

Implications for the global oil market

• Supply‑chain disruption: Each interdicted tanker reduces the illicit flow of Venezuelan crude, tightening the market and perhaps raising spot prices.
• insurance premiums: Maritime insurers are revising war‑risk and sanctions‑related coverage rates for vessels operating in the Caribbean and Atlantic.
• Geopolitical signaling: The U.S. Navy’s visible presence underscores Washington’s commitment to enforcing OFAC sanctions, deterring other sanctioned states from leveraging “false flag” tactics.

Practical checklist for compliance (downloadable PDF)

• ✅ Verify vessel ownership via the International Ship Registry.
• ✅ Ensure cargo paperwork matches the vessel’s declared flag and route.
• ✅ Conduct pre‑departure compliance audits with a legal counsel familiar with OFAC regulations.
• ✅ Subscribe to real‑time AIS and SAR monitoring services.
• ✅ Train crew on sanctions awareness and emergency boarding protocols.

Key takeaways (bullet summary)

• The U.S. Navy,supported by Coast Guard LEDETs,successfully interdicted a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker using a false flag in international waters on 12 Dec 2025.
• False‑flag tactics exploit flag‑of‑convenience loopholes and complex AIS spoofing, but modern ISR assets can detect and counteract these methods.
• Legal authority stems from U.S.executive orders,UN resolutions,and UNCLOS provisions,enabling seizure and prosecution.
• Maritime operators must adopt rigorous verification, documentation, and monitoring practices to avoid inadvertent sanctions violations.

prepared by omarelsayed, senior content strategist, Archyde.com – 21 Dec 2025 20:22:53