US Launches Operation to Seize Illicit Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela Amid International Tensions

The United States has commenced an operation to seize an oil tanker that is believed to have ties to Venezuela, following its tracking across the Atlantic. According to a knowledgeable source who spoke to CNN, the once-named Bella 1 had been sanctioned by the US in 2024 for its involvement in a shadow fleet of vessels transporting illicit oil. Reuters was the first to report on this operation, citing two sources indicating that the US Coast Guard and military forces are actively conducting the seizure. Despite a previous attempt to intercept the tanker near Venezuelan waters last month, US forces were unable to board the vessel after it fled. The pursuit continued as the tanker made its way northeast, with US P8 surveillance aircraft deployed from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England. These aircraft tracked the ship for days as it approached the UK coast. In a bid to evade capture, the crew of the tanker painted a Russian flag on its hull, claiming to be sailing under the protection of Russia. Soon after, the ship was listed on Russia's official register of vessels under a new name. In response, Russia filed a diplomatic request last month demanding that the US cease its pursuit. This move could complicate the legalities surrounding the seizure of the tanker; however, sources indicate that the Trump administration has not recognized the vessel's claimed Russian status, viewing it instead as stateless. In preparation for the operation, the US repositioned military assets to the UK, as reported by CNN. Between January 3 and 5, at least 12 US C17 transport aircraft landed at Fairford and Lakenheath airbases, primarily coming from US airfields. Additionally, V22 Ospreys were observed operating in the eastern UK, along with two AC130 gunships reported to have arrived at Mildenhall on Sunday. The last operation involving Special Operations Forces to interdict a sanctioned tanker occurred on December 11, when the US supported a Coast Guard operation near Venezuela to seize the Skipper, another large crude carrier falsely flying the Guyana flag. This heightened military posture follows President Donald Trump's announcement last month of a complete blockade on sanctioned oil tankers attempting to enter or leave Venezuela, aimed at pressuring the regime of then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The ongoing enforcement of the blockade serves as leverage over the interim Venezuelan government, following the US capture of Maduro from a compound in Caracas early Saturday morning, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2