US seizes Russia-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela

The United States has seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker formerly known as Bella-1, after a weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic Ocean, US military authorities said on Wednesday. The vessel was taken under control in international waters between Iceland and Britain for allegedly violating US sanctions.

In a post on social media, the US European Command said the ship — now registered under the name Marinera — was seized under a federal court order for breaching sanctions tied to Venezuela. US officials described the tanker as part of a so-called “shadow fleet” of ships involved in transporting oil illicitly for countries including Venezuela, Russia and Iran.

US forces had been tracking the vessel for more than two weeks, after an earlier attempt last month to intercept it near Venezuela failed when the ship changed course and evaded boarding. During the pursuit, the crew repainted the hull with a Russian flag and changed its registration.

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The seizure is part of a broader US effort to enforce sanctions and block Venezuelan oil exports. It follows the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces.

Russia has condemned the operation as a violation of international maritime law, with authorities describing the seizure as “outright piracy” and demanding the repatriation of the tanker’s crew.

In related action, US forces also seized another sanctioned vessel in the Caribbean, underscoring Washington’s intensified campaign to enforce sanctions and restrict maritime trade linked to Venezuela.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

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