US Seizes Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela Amid Nearby Moscow Naval Presence

In a dramatic transatlantic operation, United States authorities have taken control of a Russian-flagged oil tanker connected to Venezuela, citing violations of American sanctions. The vessel, tracked for over two weeks, was intercepted in the North Atlantic under a federal court warrant, according to a statement from the US European Command.

The tanker, originally named Bella 1 and later renamed Marinera after registering under the Russian flag, had been pursued since attempting to bypass a US maritime blockade near Venezuela last month, as reported by the Associated Press. US Coast Guard attempts to board the ship initially failed when it refused inspection and fled. During the chase, the crew painted a Russian flag on the hull and claimed protection under Moscow’s jurisdiction, prompting its addition to Russia’s official ship registry.

Reuters noted that the vessel was among those targeted in the ongoing US campaign against Venezuela’s sanctioned oil trade. American officials view it as part of a “shadow fleet” involved in illicit transports and do not recognize its Russian status, treating it as stateless.

Russian military assets, including a submarine and warships, were reported in the general area near Iceland during the seizure, though their exact proximity remains unclear. Russia had previously issued a diplomatic protest demanding the US halt the pursuit.

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In a separate but related action, the US Coast Guard intercepted another sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, in Caribbean waters, continuing enforcement against Venezuela-linked vessels, US officials told Reuters.

The operation involved coordination between the Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, and military assets, with surveillance support from P-8 aircraft based in the UK. The UK government declined to comment on the US activities, maintaining a policy of not addressing operational matters of allied nations.