BREAKING: US military forces have successfully boarded a Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the North Atlantic, marking a significant escalation in operations against sanctioned vessels. This seizure follows a stunning nighttime raid in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, underscoring the urgency of US efforts in the region.
US officials confirmed the tanker, previously known as the Bella 1 and now renamed Marinera, was intercepted after weeks of pursuit. The operation is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to target vessels linked to Venezuelan oil smuggling, which the US claims threatens the security of the Western Hemisphere.
Earlier today, the US European Command announced that the US Coast Guard cutter Munro tracked the tanker under a warrant issued by a US federal court. The military seized control of the vessel and transferred it to law enforcement authorities. This decisive action came after the tanker attempted to evade a blockade aimed at preventing sanctioned oil transport from Venezuela.
Reports indicate that the tanker was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for allegedly transporting cargo for Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon. Previous attempts to board the vessel in December were unsuccessful, as it made its way from the Caribbean towards Venezuela.
As of earlier today, maritime tracking data showed the ship’s position between Scotland and Iceland, moving northward. US military aircraft have conducted surveillance over the vessel, with a British Royal Air Force reconnaissance plane also spotted in the area on Tuesday.
“This operation aligns with our commitment to disrupt illegal oil shipments that finance terrorism and destabilize the region,” a US official stated, emphasizing the importance of these military actions.
This latest seizure is part of an ongoing strategy by the US to impose strict sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports, which have been a lifeline for Maduro’s embattled regime. With the geopolitical landscape shifting rapidly, the implications of these military operations reach far beyond the immediate capture of the tanker.
Watch for further developments as US forces continue to engage in active operations in the North Atlantic. The situation remains fluid, and officials are closely monitoring the ongoing maritime activities linked to Venezuela.
This urgent update illustrates the high stakes involved as the US intensifies its efforts to curb Venezuelan oil smuggling and combat the influence of groups like Hezbollah across the region. Stay tuned for more breaking news as this story develops.
