URGENT UPDATE: US military forces have successfully boarded a Venezuela-linked sanctioned oil tanker in the North Atlantic, marking a significant escalation in operations against vessels associated with the Maduro regime. This seizure follows a dramatic surprise raid in Caracas where President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by US troops just days earlier.
According to a US official who spoke to The Associated Press, the tanker, previously known as the Bella 1 and now operating under the name Marinera, had been pursued for weeks after attempting to evade an American blockade designed to intercept sanctioned oil vessels from Venezuela. The official confirmed that control of the vessel was handed over to law enforcement agencies following the military operation.
The US Coast Guard cutter Munro tracked the ship under a warrant issued by a US federal court, as stated by US European Command. This operation aligns with the Trump administration’s ongoing commitment to seize vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere.
“This operation is part of our broader strategy to combat illicit activities linked to the Maduro regime,”
the official noted, emphasizing the importance of targeting vessels that are sanctioned for their connections to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
The tanker, which was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for allegedly transporting cargo for Hezbollah, attempted to evade US enforcement last December while heading toward Venezuela. During that incident, the ship refused to comply with a Coast Guard boarding attempt in the Caribbean, ultimately making its way across the Atlantic Ocean.
As of earlier today, maritime tracking sites indicated the Marinera was located between Scotland and Iceland, moving northward. In conjunction with the military’s actions, US military aircraft have conducted surveillance over the tanker, with a British Royal Air Force plane also spotted in the vicinity.
This urgent operation comes as the US intensifies its focus on maritime threats linked to Venezuela, with officials reaffirming their commitment to disrupting the flow of illegal oil and undermining Maduro’s regime. The successful seizure of the Marinera highlights the escalating tensions in the region and the US’s readiness to act decisively.
As the situation develops, observers are closely monitoring the implications of this operation on US-Venezuela relations and the broader geopolitical landscape in Latin America. Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
