The United States is moving to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela following a pursuit that lasted more than two weeks across the Atlantic, according to U.S. officials. The operation took place while Russian naval assets, including a submarine and a warship, were reported to be in the wider area.
Officials said the tanker had previously evaded U.S. efforts to board it and managed to bypass a maritime enforcement operation targeting sanctioned vessels. The ship, formerly known as Bella-1, later re-registered under a Russian flag and now operates under the name Marinera.
The seizure effort is being carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard with support from the U.S. military. Officials described it as a rare attempt to take control of a Russian-flagged vessel, a move that could further heighten tensions between Washington and Moscow.
Russian military vessels were reported to be operating nearby during the mission, although their exact proximity to the operation remained unclear. The interception was said to be taking place in waters near Iceland.
U.S. authorities stated that the tanker is among several vessels targeted as part of Washington’s campaign to enforce sanctions on Venezuela’s oil exports. Another tanker linked to Venezuela has also been intercepted in Latin American waters in a separate operation.
The actions come amid heightened U.S. pressure on Venezuela, following a dramatic operation in Caracas in which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was detained and transferred to the United States to face federal charges. Venezuelan officials have strongly condemned the move, accusing Washington of violating sovereignty and seeking control over the country’s vast oil resources.
