Media: US may deploy more Coast Guard resources in Venezuela-linked tanker chase
The U.S. Coast Guard is waiting for reinforcements before attempting to board and seize a Venezuela-linked oil tanker it has been pursuing since December 21, highlighting strains on the agency as Washington intensifies pressure on Caracas, U.S. officials said.
The vessel, identified by maritime groups as the Bella 1, has refused to allow a boarding by the Coast Guard, Caliber.Az reports per Reuters.
As a result, any operation would likely be carried out by one of only two specialised Maritime Security Response Teams, which are trained to board non-compliant ships, including by rappelling from helicopters.
The standoff underscores a growing gap between the Trump administration’s push to intercept sanctioned oil shipments linked to Venezuela and the Coast Guard’s limited operational capacity. Unlike the U.S. Navy, the Coast Guard is authorised to conduct law enforcement actions, including the seizure of vessels under U.S. sanctions.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump ordered a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela as part of efforts to increase pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.
The Coast Guard has seized two oil tankers near Venezuela in recent weeks. After the first operation on Dec. 10, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi released a video showing armed personnel rappelling from helicopters onto a vessel. A subsequent social media post by the Department of Homeland Security showed Coast Guard officers aboard the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford preparing to seize the Centuries tanker.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Maritime Security Response Team stationed on the Ford was too far from the Bella 1 at the time to carry out a boarding.
"There are limited teams who are trained for these types of boardings," said Corey Ranslem, chief executive of maritime security firm Dryad Global and a former U.S. Coast Guard officer.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the media could not determine whether additional factors have delayed action against the vessel. Officials said the administration could ultimately decide not to board or seize the tanker.
The White House said the United States was still in "active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion."
The United States has deployed a large number of aircraft carrying special operations forces and military equipment to the Caribbean this week, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources.
According to U.S. officials and publicly available flight-tracking data, at least 10 CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft were flown on December 22 from Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico to the Caribbean. The aircraft are operated by U.S. Special Operations Forces.
In addition, C-17 military transport planes arrived in Puerto Rico from Fort Stewart and Fort Campbell, a U.S. official told the newspaper. The aircraft carried U.S. military personnel and equipment, though the types of units and matériel were not disclosed.
Cannon Air Force Base is home to the 27th Special Operations Wing, while Fort Campbell hosts the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and the 101st Airborne Division. These units specialise in high-risk infiltration and extraction missions, as well as direct air and combat support operations.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
editor@caliber.az
+994 55 444-88-98
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