US seizes 3rd Venezuelan tanker amid escalating tensions: Report

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA)— US forces boarded another Venezuelan oil tanker, bringing the total number of seized vessels to three since Dec. 10, Bloomberg reported Sunday.

The Bella 1 tanker, a Panamanian-flagged vessel sanctioned by the US, was en route to Venezuela to load oil when it was intercepted, the media outlet said, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Neither the US nor Venezuela has issued an official statement on the latest seizure.

The interdiction follows the boarding of the Centuries supertanker on Saturday and the Skipper on Dec. 10.

The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas.

US President Donald Trump declared a "total and complete blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.

Venezuela condemns US actions as "international piracy."

Washington has said the measures aim to combat corruption and drug trafficking, while Caracas accuses the US of using anti-narcotics efforts as a pretext to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power and gain control over Venezuela's oil resources.