U.S. Seizes Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker After Weeks-Long Atlantic Chase Over Venezuelan Sanctions
U.S. authorities have taken control of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after an extended pursuit lasting more than two weeks, as Washington intensifies efforts to enforce sanctions targeting Venezuelan oil exports, PulseNets learnt on Wednesday.
The vessel, formerly known as Bella 1 and recently renamed Marinera, was seized under a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court over alleged violations of American sanctions. Information obtained by PulseNets indicates that the tanker was accused of attempting to bypass a U.S.-led maritime blockade imposed on vessels linked to Venezuela and other sanctioned states.
High-seas pursuit and enforcement operation
The Marinera reportedly resisted an initial boarding attempt by the U.S. Coast Guard near Venezuelan waters in late December before fleeing into the open Atlantic. U.S. Coast Guard and military assets tracked the tanker for weeks, with the pursuit stretching close to Iceland’s exclusive economic zone, before American forces finally secured the ship.
U.S. officials told PulseNets that the operation involved close coordination between the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense, underscoring the strategic priority Washington places on sanction enforcement related to Venezuela’s oil trade.
The tanker has been under U.S. sanctions since 2024 over allegations that it transported oil on behalf of entities connected to Iran and other blacklisted actors. During its flight at sea, the crew was reported to have repainted the vessel and changed its registration to a Russian flag in an apparent bid to evade detection.
U.S. position on sanctions and blockade
Confirming the seizure, U.S. European Command said the action aligns with a broader strategy aimed at cutting off revenue streams linked to sanctioned regimes. In a statement seen by PulseNets, U.S. defense officials stressed: “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in full effect — anywhere in the world.”
The development marks a significant escalation in U.S. enforcement actions against Venezuelan oil shipments. It comes days after the controversial arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in New York on drug-related charges — a move that has further strained relations between Washington, Caracas, and Moscow.
Russia condemns seizure
Russia swiftly condemned the action, with officials describing the seizure as a breach of international maritime law. Moscow denounced the move as “outright piracy” and demanded assurances regarding the humane treatment of the crew. Russian authorities also urged the United States to respect freedom of navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, according to officials who spoke to PulseNets.
Second tanker intercepted
In a related development, U.S. authorities also intercepted another sanctioned tanker, Sophia, in the Caribbean Sea on the same day. The Panama-flagged vessel was seized for similar alleged sanctions violations and is currently being escorted to U.S. ports, PulseNets was told.
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Analysts say the twin seizures could further inflame geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and Russia, while adding volatility to global energy markets already sensitive to supply disruptions. Oil traders have reacted cautiously to the tightening U.S. blockade, with price movements reflecting uncertainty over Venezuelan exports and the reach of sanctions enforcement beyond traditional territorial waters.
