US seizes Russian oil tanker — Reuters
Illustrative photo: The US seized a Russian tanker in the Atlantic linked to Venezuela (Getty Images)
The US seized a Venezuelan-linked oil tanker after over two weeks of pursuit across the Atlantic Ocean, Reuters reports.
The operation, which could exacerbate tensions with Russia, began after the tanker, formerly known as Bella-1, broke through the US maritime blockade of sanctioned vessels and refused to allow US Coast Guard representatives on board.
According to US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, the operation is being carried out by the US Coast Guard and the US military. They also note that Russian military vessels, including a submarine, were in the area.
The tanker, now named Marinera and flying the Russian flag, became the latest vessel targeted by the US Coast Guard as part of a campaign of pressure on Venezuela initiated by US President Donald Trump.
Separately, the US Coast Guard intercepted another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters as part of its continued maritime blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan vessels.
Shadow fleet tanker
The US Coast Guard has been escorting an oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean for about two weeks, keeping a distance of approximately 800 meters. The military reported that special forces were ready to seize the vessel by force, but the operation required White House approval.
On December 31, an attempt to seize the sanctioned tanker Bella 1 was stopped after a Russian flag appeared on the ship.
According to the Russian maritime register, the vessel, formerly known as Bella 1, has been re-registered under the name Marinera, flies the Russian flag, and is registered in Sochi. At the beginning of the pursuit, the US considered the tanker to be a vessel flying a false flag, subject to a court order for arrest.
At the same time, the Russian authorities requested in a diplomatic note to the US that the pursuit of the tanker in the Atlantic Ocean be stopped.
The tanker belongs to a Turkish company and is under US sanctions for transporting Iranian oil on behalf of terrorist organizations. It is also part of the so-called shadow fleet that transports sanctioned oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
