Nato forces are reportedly tracking a shadow oil tanker which is evading a US blockade on Venezuela, as it sails 250 miles off the coast of Ireland.
Nato allies including the US, UK, France, and Ireland have flown surveillance aircraft to monitor the Bella 1 tanker, after it fled from the Caribbean Sea last month to escape US capture.
The vessel has changed its name to the Marinera and painted a Russian flag on its side, in what appears to be an attempt to claim protection from Moscow.
Two US P-8 surveillance aircraft flying from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk a British Eurofighter Typhoon from RAF Lossiemouth, an Irish Air Corps plane and a French Navy maritime patrol aircraft have all flown in the direction of the tanker in recent days, The Times reported.
Speculation is growing that US forces may attempt to board the tanker, in a move which would mirror last month’s publicised operation to seize the Skipper, an oil tanker which left a port in Venezuela last month.
The vessel is part of the so-called Venezuelan shadow fleet, which is carrying oil in breach of US and international sanctions. Washington last month announced a blockade of the fleet, shortly before US forces entered Venezuela to seize its now-deposed president Nicolas Maduro, who is now in New York facing drug charges.
The ship’s intended destination is unclear. Two officials have told CBS News that US forces would rather seize the vessel than sink it.
Intelligence sources told the broadcaster that Venezuela had considered placing military personnel on oil tankers disguised as civilians, to assist the vessels in evading US blockades.
Citing two US officials, the broadcaster said US forces plan to intercept the tanker, after a failed attempt by the Coast Guard to board it last month.
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