2025 U.S. - Venezuela conflict

[brihard]

Happening in real time right now...

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seen Pursuing Fleeing Russian Oil Tanker For First Time

The pursuit of the tanker Marinera comes as the U.S. continues pouring aviation assets into the U.K. ahead of a potential boarding effort.

www.twz.com

That ‘cutter’ is a Frigate, and can land MH-60.

I haven’t posted on it, but a bunch of USSOCOM assets/supporters flew to Britain a few days ago and unloaded some helicopters, and there’s been not-outlandish speculation That it’s preparation to board that tanker.

Also in the past few days it sounds like a number of tankers have done a synchronized blockade run out of Venezuela.

 

[HavokFour]

Have we announced anything similar?

I believe the Dutch are the first to take this step, of the ones mentioned (Canada being one) in this article from November regarding sharing of intelligence in that region.

We'll just have to wait and see if this causes others to follow.

Which Countries Have Stopped Sharing Intelligence With U.S.?

Some countries have now suspended—or curtailed—their intelligence sharing with the U.S. Here's what to know.

time.com

Archive

 

[RangerRay]

With Machado's covert departure from VEN in December 2025, one must wonder if she was hustled out with CIA assistance because of the upcoming Maduro raid in order to preserve her for future electoral candidacy. Had she remained, she might have been quickly killed by Maduro loyalists after Maduro was apprehended to prevent her coming to power.

Doubtful. Trump has stated that she has no support or respect in the country (which is complete BS) and is leaving the entire Chavista system in place, including the radical far-left revolutionary former VP now President Rodriguez. He’s apparently bent out of shape that she didn’t refuse to accept the Nobel Peace Prize and give it to him.

 

[Retired AF Guy]

Happening in real time right now...

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seen Pursuing Fleeing Russian Oil Tanker For First Time

The pursuit of the tanker Marinera comes as the U.S. continues pouring aviation assets into the U.K. ahead of a potential boarding effort.

www.twz.com

TWZ is also reporting that there has been an influx of US SOPS aircraft into the UK and it may be related to an attempt to board the Russian flagged tanker.

U.S. Special Ops Aircraft Arriving In UK Could Point To Looming Oil Tanker Boarding Operation

The arrival in England of AC-130 gunships and cargo jets from the home of the Night Stalkers comes as the U.S. may interdict a fleeing oil tanker.

www.twz.com

 

[QV]

Doubtful. Trump has stated that she has no support or respect in the country (which is complete BS) and is leaving the entire Chavista system in place, including the radical far-left revolutionary former VP now President Rodriguez. He’s apparently bent out of shape that she didn’t refuse to accept the Nobel Peace Prize and give it to him.

I read that there is a CIA brief that suggested for short term stability they assessed keeping the Veep in place for a time.

I surmise Machado was clandestinely moved out to keep her alive for the future election.

 

[dapaterson]

This does not appear to align with international or American law.

https://bsky.app/profile/paleofuture.bsky.social%2Fpost%2F3mbs5fflafs24

 

[QV]

This does not appear to align with international or American law.

https://bsky.app/profile/paleofuture.bsky.social%2Fpost%2F3mbs5fflafs24

Matt Novak left out the last part, the important part. Nobody but the democrats will be upset by this.

 

[HavokFour]

This does not appear to align with international or American law.

https://bsky.app/profile/paleofuture.bsky.social%2Fpost%2F3mbs5fflafs24

FYI, this is 2-3 days worth of oil for the US. Either refined or consumed domestically.

EDIT: Also pointed out in the comments, that also coincidentally comes out to the yearly volume Chevron already imports from Venezuela (100,000-150,000 b/d). This may just be playing dress up.

 

[daftandbarmy]

This does not appear to align with international or American law.

https://bsky.app/profile/paleofuture.bsky.social%2Fpost%2F3mbs5fflafs24

‘Hand it over’… sounds like a stick up

 

[Cloud Cover]

TWZ is also reporting that there has been an influx of US SOPS aircraft into the UK and it may be related to an attempt to board the Russian flagged tanker.

U.S. Special Ops Aircraft Arriving In UK Could Point To Looming Oil Tanker Boarding Operation

The arrival in England of AC-130 gunships and cargo jets from the home of the Night Stalkers comes as the U.S. may interdict a fleeing oil tanker.

www.twz.com

That ‘cutter’ is a Frigate, and can land MH-60.

I haven’t posted on it, but a bunch of USSOCOM assets/supporters flew to Britain a few days ago and unloaded some helicopters, and there’s been not-outlandish speculation That it’s preparation to board that tanker.

Also in the past few days it sounds like a number of tankers have done a synchronized blockade run out of Venezuela.

… makes u wonder what’s in that ship since it sailed from Iran and never had a chance to dock or make landfall in Venezuela.

Also it is in fact a frigate but I don’t think it’s an American frigate which is also a bit of a mystery. It vaguely looks perhaps Dutch or even … Danish.

 

[brihard]

… makes u wonder what’s in that ship since it sailed from Iran and never had a chance to dock or make landfall in Venezuela.

Also it is in fact a frigate but I don’t think it’s an American frigate which is also a bit of a mystery. It vaguely looks perhaps Dutch or even … Danish.

It looks like a USCG Legend class cutter. This tweet has the photo overlaid with a similarly oriented Legend class photo taken from a US Naval Institute site:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008735997673304343

 

[HavokFour]

… makes u wonder what’s in that ship since it sailed from Iran and never had a chance to dock or make landfall in Venezuela.

With what is coming to light as to what the Ursa Major was carrying smuggling last year when it sunk near Spain (the hull of which is showing signs it may have been torpedoed), Bella 1's sudden conversion to being a Russian flagged ship might mean it's cargo could be something damning.

A Russian ship taking nuclear sub reactors to North Korea has sunk. Who did that?​

 

[OldSolduer]

With what is coming to light as to what the Ursa Major was carrying smuggling last year when it sunk near Spain (the hull of which is showing signs it may have been torpedoed), Bella 1's sudden conversion to being a Russian flagged ship might mean it's cargo might be something damning.

A Russian ship taking nuclear sub reactors to North Korea has sunk. Who did that?​

That’s some scary shit

 

[quadrapiper]

With what is coming to light as to what the Ursa Major was carrying smuggling last year when it sunk near Spain (the hull of which is showing signs it may have been torpedoed), Bella 1's sudden conversion to being a Russian flagged ship might mean it's cargo might be something damning.

A Russian ship taking nuclear sub reactors to North Korea has sunk. Who did that?​

A... trawler... slinking along, all aboard hoping the USCGS Interferer finds urgent business elsewhere.

 

[Remius]

Trump’s former Russia adviser says Russia offered U.S. free rein in Venezuela in exchange for Ukraine

Russian officials indicated in 2019 that the Kremlin would be willing to back off from its support for Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela in exchange for a free hand in Ukraine, according to Fiona Hill, an adviser to President Donald Trump at the time.

www.ctvnews.ca

People playing RISK in real life…

 

[dapaterson]

Trump’s former Russia adviser says Russia offered U.S. free rein in Venezuela in exchange for Ukraine

Russian officials indicated in 2019 that the Kremlin would be willing to back off from its support for Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela in exchange for a free hand in Ukraine, according to Fiona Hill, an adviser to President Donald Trump at the time.

www.ctvnews.ca

People playing RISK in real life…

More like Diplomacy, a game that's a great way to create lasting animosity between friends.

Diplomacy (game) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Halifax Tar]

Trump’s former Russia adviser says Russia offered U.S. free rein in Venezuela in exchange for Ukraine

Russian officials indicated in 2019 that the Kremlin would be willing to back off from its support for Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela in exchange for a free hand in Ukraine, according to Fiona Hill, an adviser to President Donald Trump at the time.

www.ctvnews.ca

People playing RISK in real life…

I'm a big Sid Meir fan, I have every Civ game in my steam play list. I actually think its closer to Civ. Very resource driven and alliances and truly every nation stands alone.

Anyone else getting Fallout lore, Resource War vibes these days ?

I swear if I see a vault tech rep...

 

[Czech_pivo]

TWZ is also reporting that there has been an influx of US SOPS aircraft into the UK and it may be related to an attempt to board the Russian flagged tanker.

U.S. Special Ops Aircraft Arriving In UK Could Point To Looming Oil Tanker Boarding Operation

The arrival in England of AC-130 gunships and cargo jets from the home of the Night Stalkers comes as the U.S. may interdict a fleeing oil tanker.

www.twz.com

So does that implicate the UK Gov't possibly in the future to any lawsuits about the legality of the seizing of this ship?

 

[YZT580]

So does that implicate the UK Gov't possibly in the future to any lawsuits about the legality of the seizing of this ship?

According to Fox this morning the Russians have sent out a sub and other unspecified naval assets to escort the tanker into Russian waters so doesn't look like any news at 6 for the Americans on this one

 

[Genetk44]

According to the BBC this morning, the US war department has said US forces boarded and seized the tanker.