The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after pursuing it from off the coast of Venezuela. The tanker, previously known as the Bella-1 and now called the Marinera, was seized due to its alleged involvement in violating US sanctions by carrying oil for countries like Venezuela, Russia, and Iran.
The US European Command stated that the vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced that the US blockade on Venezuelan oil is in full effect “anywhere in the world”.
Russia’s Transport Ministry condemned the seizure, saying it violates international maritime law and freedom of navigation applies in waters on the high seas. Moscow claims the vessel was sailing under the Russian flag and was far from the US coast.
US Sanctions in the Caribbeans
The US military also announced a second sanctioned tanker ship had been seized in the Caribbean Sea. Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem posted that both vessels “were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it”.
The operation is part of the US’s efforts to enforce sanctions on Venezuela and disrupt its oil exports. The US had been pursuing the Marinera since last month after it thwarted an earlier attempt to board it near Venezuela.
The vessel had switched its registration to Russia and changed its name to the Marinera. The tanker’s crew reportedly painted a Russian flag on the tanker.
The US had imposed sanctions on the vessel in 2024 over alleged ties to Iran and Hezbollah. The tanker was en route to Venezuela before it evaded the US blockade.
President Donald Trump said Venezuela agreed to ship 30-50 million barrels of “high-quality, sanctioned” Venezuelan crude to US ports, with revenue placed under his personal control.
Washington to Control Venezuela ‘s Oil
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that Washington will control sales of Venezuelan oil “indefinitely”. However, it’s unclear whether Venezuela’s new ruler, interim president Delcy Rodriguez, has agreed to hand over the oil.
Rodriguez, a long-time member of Maduro’s inner circle, has vowed cooperation with the US amid fears that Trump could pursue wider regime change.
The US seizure of the tanker has sparked tensions with Russia, which sent a submarine and other naval assets to escort the vessel.
The operation is likely to raise concerns about the US’s enforcement of sanctions and its impact on global oil markets.
The US has been cracking down on sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela, and this seizure is the latest move in this effort.
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