US special forces have reportedly deployed to the United Kingdom as Washington prepares for a possible high-risk operation to intercept a sanctioned oil tanker accused of evading a blockade imposed under former US President Donald Trump.
The tanker, Marinera — formerly known as Bella 1 — is said to be part of a shadow fleet helping sanctioned regimes bypass restrictions on Venezuelan oil. The vessel is believed to be sailing under a Russian flag in the North Atlantic, heading toward Russia, roughly 500 miles west of Ireland.
US military aircraft, helicopters, and personnel have landed at RAF Fairford and RAF Mildenhall, including elite troops from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment — the famed Night Stalkers. Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters, as well as V-22 Ospreys, are reportedly on standby for a possible helicopter-borne boarding operation.
The tanker allegedly altered its identity at sea — repainting a Russian flag on its hull and re-registering under a new name — after briefly disappearing from US tracking following the announcement of a “total and complete blockade” on Venezuelan oil exports.
US officials say the preferred option is to seize the tanker rather than sink it, as surveillance aircraft and naval patrols continue to monitor its movements. A final decision on whether to launch the operation is expected within days.
This development marks a sharp escalation in efforts to clamp down on sanction-busting oil trade — and raises fresh questions about potential confrontation on the high seas.
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