U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard is a branch of the U.S. military responsible for maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and coastal security. Recent news highlights their role in enforcing U.S. sanctions, particularly concerning oil exports from Venezuela and Cuba. The Coast Guard has been actively involved in boarding and seizing oil tankers suspected of violating these sanctions, leading to increased tensions with Russia, which has dispatched naval vessels to escort some of these tankers. One tanker even attempted to evade the Coast Guard by painting a Russian flag and changing its name. Separately, the Coast Guard recently suspended a search for a passenger who went overboard from a cruise ship near Cuba. These events underscore the Coast Guard's ongoing responsibilities in maritime security, international relations, and search and rescue operations.