US seizes a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela after a two-week Atlantic chase, with Russian military vessels nearby during the operation.
WASHINGTON: The United States has seized a Venezuela-linked oil tanker following a pursuit lasting more than two weeks across the Atlantic Ocean.
Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the operation was carried out by the Coast Guard and US military.
The tanker, originally named the Bella-1, had previously slipped through a US maritime blockade targeting sanctioned vessels.
It later rebuffed US Coast Guard attempts to board it before being seized.
The vessel, now known as the Marinera and registered under a Russian flag, is the latest tanker targeted since the start of President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign against Venezuela.
Russian military vessels, including a submarine, were in the general vicinity when the seizure operation took place.
Separately, the US Coast Guard has intercepted another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters.
Officials stated this is part of the ongoing enforcement of a maritime blockade against sanctioned vessels from Venezuela.
