The United States carried out an operation to seize an oil tanker linked to Venezuela after more than two weeks of pursuit across the Atlantic Ocean, the US European Command reported on social media platform X.
What is this tanker
The tanker Bella-1, which later changed its name to Marinera and registered under the Russian flag, was seized. It is owned by a Turkish company and is under US sanctions for transporting Iranian oil in support of terrorist organizations.
The tanker is also part of the “shadow fleet” that transports sanctioned oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
Earlier, the vessel had broken through the US maritime “blockade” for sanctioned tankers near Venezuela and refused to stop for inspection.
Pursuit and Russian military escort
During the pursuit, the tanker was escorted by a Russian submarine and a warship. The US Coast Guard refrained from taking active action until receiving approval from the White House but was prepared for a forcible seizure.
In addition to Bella-1, the US Southern Command reported the seizure of another tanker, M/T Sophia, without a flag, in the Caribbean Sea. It is suspected of “illegal activity” and is linked to Venezuela.Russian authorities have called on the US to stop the pursuit of the Marinera, while US military officials said they would continue operations to ensure maritime security and enforce the blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan tankers.
Conclusion
The US operation to seize a tanker linked to Venezuela demonstrates Washington’s firm stance on controlling the transport of sanctioned oil and ensuring maritime security in the region.
The seizure of Bella-1 and M/T Sophia highlights the US readiness to act even in the presence of Russian military forces and increases pressure on Venezuelan oil shipments involved in sanction-avoidance schemes. The events underscore rising tensions with Russia and the importance of monitoring the “shadow fleet” in international waters.
