US Coast Guard does not have enough forces to seize oil tanker linked to Venezuela, agency says

The United States Coast Guard is awaiting the arrival of additional forces before possibly attempting to board and seize the third oil tanker linked to Venezuela, according to Reuters. Since Sunday, the tanker, identified as Bella 1, has refused to be boarded by the Coast Guard. This means the task will likely fall to one of just two teams of specialists — known as Maritime Security Response Teams — capable of approaching vessels in these circumstances, including abseiling from helicopters. The pursuit, which has lasted several days, highlights the disconnect between the Trump administration’s desire to seize sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela and the limited resources of the agency that primarily conducts the operations, the Coast Guard, according to Reuters. Unlike the U.S. Navy, the Coast Guard can carry out law enforcement actions, including boarding and seizing vessels that are under U.S. sanctions.

Source link