A high-stakes maritime chase is unfolding in the Atlantic Ocean as U.S. forces trail a sanctioned oil tanker accused of attempting to enter Venezuelan waters to pick up crude. The tanker, identified as Bella 1, reportedly made a sudden U-turn after U.S. Coast Guard interception and has since been fleeing into open waters. U.S. officials say the crew has painted a Russian tricolour on the ship’s hull in what is believed to be an attempt to claim Russian protection and complicate a possible American seizure. The tanker’s registration is now listed as “unknown,” raising further suspicion. The pursuit comes amid President Donald Trump’s declared blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments, aimed at cutting off President Nicolás Maduro’s key economic lifeline. Washington has already seized multiple tankers in recent weeks, while deploying thousands of troops, drones and F-35 fighter jets across Puerto Rico as tensions escalate.