Coast Guard pursues sanctioned vessel off Venezuela amid rising tensions

A dramatic escalation is unfolding off the coast of Venezuela, where the United States Coast Guard is actively pursuing another vessel in international waters.

(NBC)- A dramatic escalation is unfolding off the coast of Venezuela, where the United States Coast Guard is actively pursuing another vessel in international waters.

The pursuit comes just over 24 hours after the Coast Guard intercepted an oil tanker operating near Venezuela’s coast. Officials say this marks the third such incident this month, amid rising tensions between Washington and Caracas as Donald Trump continues to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Senator Rand Paul warned the situation could spiral further, calling the actions “a provocation and a prelude to war,” and expressing hope that the U.S. does not enter into open conflict with Venezuela.

According to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter, the vessel currently being pursued — identified as the Bella 1 — was sanctioned nearly two years ago and is now operating in international waters. The officials say the ship is flying a false flag and is under an active seizure order.

By contrast, the oil tanker seized on Saturday was not on the official U.S. sanctions list, according to a source familiar with the records. The Department of Homeland Security says in that case it was the oil itself that was sanctioned, alleging it was being used to fund narco-terrorism operations.

Earlier this month, Coast Guard commandos also boarded another oil vessel known as The Skipper as part of the expanding maritime enforcement campaign. The Pentagon has confirmed at least 28 strikes on boats the administration says were being used for drug trafficking, operations that have resulted in 104 deaths.

President Trump has not ruled out the possibility of war with Venezuela. On CNN, Senator James Lankford was asked whether he would support regime change using American arms and troops. Lankford responded cautiously, saying military intervention would fundamentally change the stakes, adding, “You break it, you buy it.”

U.S. officials say the Coast Guard pursuit remains ongoing as tensions in the region continue to mount.