The United States has seized a Russia-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic. The vessel, formerly known as Bella-1 and now called Marinera, slipped through a US maritime blockade of sanctioned tankers. The US Coast Guard and military carried out the operation in international waters.
US forces tracked the tanker for more than two weeks after it rebuffed earlier boarding attempts off Venezuela. A federal warrant authorized the seizure, as the vessel had been under US sanctions for evading restrictions tied to Venezuelan oil exports.
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The tanker’s crew changed its name and painted a Russian flag mid-voyage, complicating legal claims and prompting warnings from Moscow. Russian naval vessels, including a submarine, were reportedly nearby during the US operation.
The seizure comes amid an aggressive US effort to enforce sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports and curb so-called “shadow fleet” tankers transporting illicit cargo. Multiple sanctioned vessels have been intercepted in recent weeks as part of the broader pressure campaign.
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Tensions with Russia may rise as Washington continues enforcement actions far from Venezuelan waters. The operation highlights growing geopolitical friction over energy sanctions, maritime law, and international compliance.