U.S. Takes Control of Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker in Enforcement of Venezuela Sanctions

The United States has taken control of a Russian-flagged oil tanker tied to Venezuela after a weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic, U.S. officials said. �
Reuters
The ship, originally called Bella 1 and later renamed Marinera, was seized under a federal court warrant on accusations that it transported oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. U.S. authorities say the vessel played a role in efforts to circumvent sanctions aimed at Venezuelan oil shipments. �
Anadolu Ajansı
U.S. Coast Guard and military forces tracked the tanker for over two weeks after an earlier attempt to board the ship near Venezuelan waters was unsuccessful. Reports indicate the crew painted a Russian flag on the hull and re-registered the vessel under Russia in an apparent bid to claim protection. Despite this, U.S. officials deemed the ship “stateless” and subject to seizure under U.S. law. �
Sky News
The operation concluded in the North Atlantic, with U.S. surveillance aircraft shadowing the tanker as it moved between Ireland and Iceland before U.S. teams boarded and seized it under the seizure order. �
PBS
The tanker was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2024 for its alleged involvement in a “shadow fleet” used to carry crude linked to sanctioned operations. Officials said the seizure is part of broader efforts by Washington to dismantle networks designed to evade sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports. �
Anadolu Ajansı