US forces seize Russia-flagged oil tanker with Venezuela links in the North Atlantic
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – US European Command on Wednesday announced that the US Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security seized a sanctioned Russia-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after a dramatic week-long chase, media reported.
US European Command said on X “The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar, today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro”.
It stated that the seizure supported the US President’s national security policy of “targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere.”
US forces had been in pursuit of the Venezuela-linked oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella-1, for more than a week after it reportedly evaded a US blockade in the Caribbean.
The vessel had been handed over to law enforcement officials.
The ship is alleged to have violated US sanctions by transporting Iranian oil, even though it had historically carried Venezuelan crude.
It was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for allegedly smuggling cargo for a company linked to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
According to media reports, the US Coast Guard had attempted but failed to board the ship in the Caribbean in December.
Media reports said another tanker in the Caribbean was also seized in “back-to-back” boarding of two “ghost fleet” ships.
Moscow said that the tanker was only temporary flagged to Russia and that “no state has the right to use force against vessels properly registered in other countries’ jurisdictions”.
The development came days after the US carried out a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores.
They were indicted on drug-trafficking charges and brought to the US.
Both were produced before a federal court in New York and ordered held in custody until March 17 as their trial continues.
President Trump announced that the US would assume control over Venezuela’s oil industry.
He also said that the US oil sector would be “up and running” in Venezuela within 18 months and that the Latin American country “will be turning over” up to 50 million barrels of oil to the US.
