The United States has initiated a significant operation to seize an oil tanker linked to Venezuela, named Marinera. This tanker was previously known as Bella 1 and has been on the US sanctions list since 2024 for being part of a fleet transporting illicit oil.
Background of the Operation
The US Coast Guard and military are leading the operation, following its tracking across the Atlantic. The operation gained attention after the Coast Guard attempted to seize the vessel last month near Venezuela, but the tanker managed to evade capture by turning around.
Surveillance and Pursuit
- The tanker was monitored as it traveled northeast, with US P-8 surveillance aircraft dispatched from RAF Mildenhall in England.
- The vessel painted a Russian flag on its hull during the pursuit, claiming protection under Russian jurisdiction.
- Subsequently, it was registered in Russia under its new name, Marinera, complicating the potential for its seizure.
Despite Russia’s diplomatic pleas for the US to halt its pursuit, US officials maintain that the tanker is stateless and do not acknowledge its claimed Russian status.
Military Movements and Preparations
In preparation for the operation, US military assets were repositioned in the UK. Reports indicate that between January 3 and 5, at least 12 C-17 aircraft landed at Fairford and Lakenheath airbases. Additionally, V-22 Ospreys have been active in training missions from Fairford over recent days. AC-130 gunships were also sighted at Mildenhall base shortly before the operation.
Previous Interdictions
The US last employed Special Operations Forces for a similar task in December, when they collaborated with the Coast Guard to intercept the Skipper, a tanker impersonating a Guyanese vessel. This was part of a broader initiative by President Donald Trump, who declared a “complete blockade” on sanctioned tankers in an effort to exert pressure on the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
The US government remains committed to enforcing this blockade, seeking to leverage the situation over the interim Venezuelan government, as stated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
