US Seizes Venezuela-Linked, Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker After Weeks-Long Pursuit

In a dramatic maritime operation that could further intensify global tensions, the United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after tracking it for more than two weeks across the Atlantic Ocean. The move comes amid escalating U.S. efforts to enforce sanctions and exert pressure on Venezuela’s oil sector.

‘Marinera’ Snatched After Long Chase

The vessel, now named Marinera but formerly known as Bella-1, was intercepted in the North Atlantic near Iceland, ending a weeks-long pursuit that saw the ship evade U.S. authorities and slip through a U.S. maritime “blockade” designed to stop sanctioned oil shipments.

U.S. officials said the tanker was seized under a U.S. federal court warrant for violating American sanctions related to Venezuela’s oil exports — a rare instance of U.S. forces taking control of a Russian-flagged ship.

Multinational Involvement and High Seas Tensions

The operation involved the U.S. Coast Guard and military, with surveillance conducted across thousands of miles of ocean. A Russian submarine and other naval vessels were reportedly shadowing the tanker during parts of the chase, though there was no direct confrontation at the time of seizure.

This incident marks one of the first times in recent memory that U.S. forces have seized a vessel flying the Russian flag — a move that has drawn sharp rebukes from Moscow, which labeled the action unlawful and akin to piracy.

Part of a Broader Sanctions Enforcement Campaign

The tanker had previously rebuffed attempts by the U.S. Coast Guard to board it near Venezuelan waters and was sanctioned in 2024 for allegedly transporting illicit cargo tied to “shadow fleet” operations designed to circumvent oil export bans.

This seizure follows similar actions, including the interception of another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters. Together, these moves form part of a wider U.S. campaign to disrupt sanctioned shipments and enforce pressure on the Maduro government’s economic lifelines.

International and Geopolitical Fallout

Russia has strongly condemned the seizure, claiming that the tanker was operating legally under its flag. The Kremlin’s response underscores rising diplomatic tensions between Washington and Moscow over enforcement actions far from U.S. shores.

Analysts say the operation could strain relations further, as global powers watch closely how maritime law and sanctions are interpreted and enforced at sea.

What Happens Next?

Details about where the seized tanker will be taken and how its cargo or vessel will be handled remain unclear, although its interception under a U.S. court warrant suggests it may be brought into U.S. jurisdiction for legal processing. Anadolu Ajansı

The stunning high-seas pursuit and capture add a new chapter to the ongoing geopolitical contest over Venezuela’s oil, sanctions enforcement, and broader U.S. foreign policy in the region.

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This summary is based on current reporting and may be updated as further information becomes available.