US tracking third tanker off Venezuelan coast, sources confirm.

**U.S. Coast Guard Steps Up Maritime Interdictions Near Venezuela Amid Blockade Enforcement**

The U.S. Coast Guard is currently engaged in the pursuit of an oil tanker operating in international waters adjacent to Venezuela, officials disclosed to Reuters on Sunday, December 21. This operation marks the third maritime interdiction attempt in less than seven days, and the second reported engagement over the weekend, signaling an aggressive intensification of enforcement actions in the Caribbean region.

Sources familiar with the situation, speaking under the condition of anonymity, confirmed the targeted vessel is subject to U.S. economic sanctions. Details regarding the exact location of the pursuit were withheld by the officials. The White House had not issued an immediate response to queries regarding the incident by late Sunday.

These aggressive maritime actions follow President Donald Trump's recent declaration last week of a "blockade" aimed specifically at preventing sanctioned oil tankers from servicing Venezuela. This move is integral to the administration’s escalating pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which has involved a substantial increase in military assets deployed across the region. The broader campaign has included dozens of military strikes on vessels in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea near the South American nation, resulting in a reported death toll exceeding 100 individuals.

**Conflicting Economic Forecasts**

Addressing the potential economic fallout, Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House’s National Economic Council, maintained on Sunday that the recent seizures would not disrupt domestic fuel markets. Hassett justified the actions, stating the two previously captured tankers were engaged in illicit "black market" activities, supplying sanctioned nations.

"These are just a few isolated cases involving black market ships," Hassett explained, suggesting that American consumers should not anticipate an immediate rise in U.S. gas prices due to these interventions, as the trade involved was outside legitimate channels.

However, this optimistic assessment was not universally shared within the market. A senior oil trader, speaking to Reuters, countered that the frequent seizures amplify geopolitical risk, potentially driving crude prices upward once Asian trading commences on Monday. This immediate risk premium, the trader noted, could be partially mitigated by concurrent market optimism regarding a potential resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, which may temper overall upward price movement in the energy sector.