US Considers Sending Additional Forces to Board Sanctioned Oil Tanker Near Venezuela

The United States is considering sending additional resources to forcibly board a massive oil tanker near Venezuela after a high-stakes pursuit that began over the Christmas weekend, according to officials familiar with the matter.

The tanker, known as the Bella 1, is described by the White House as a “dark fleet vessel” operating under a false flag and subject to US sanctions. Authorities say the ship is covered by a judicial seizure order but has refused to comply with Coast Guard efforts to stop it. Instead, the vessel made a U-turn and sailed into the Atlantic Ocean, where it remains under pursuit.

US officials are now contemplating deploying a specialized Maritime Special Response Team trained in boarding non-compliant vessels. However, officials also acknowledge the possibility that the operation could ultimately be abandoned, as the ship is currently empty and no longer expected to return to Venezuela to load oil.

The pursuit is part of a broader effort ordered by President Donald Trump to enforce a blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers. Administration officials believe limiting oil exports is a key strategy in pressuring Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government. While a significant US military presence has been ordered to the Caribbean Sea, officials say no final authorization has been given for land strikes in the region.

During a Christmas Eve call with troops aboard the USS Gerald Ford, Trump described the Caribbean as an “interesting place” and hinted at future action, though officials emphasized that the current priority remains enforcing oil restrictions.

The Bella 1 stands in contrast to two other tankers, the Skipper and the Centuries, which were successfully intercepted by the Coast Guard and escorted to Texas, where US authorities plan to seize their oil cargoes.

Officials say it remains unclear why the Bella 1’s crew refused to submit to boarding, unlike previous vessels. The ship has been linked to sanctioned Iranian oil operations and Iranian proxy groups, further intensifying US concerns.

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