North atlantic: US forces have announced the seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as M/V Bella 1, in the North Atlantic Ocean for alleged violations of U.S. sanctions. The coordinated operation involved the US Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense, as shared through the US social media platform X. The operation was executed following a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court, with the vessel being tracked by the United States Coast Guard Cutter Munro.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, the seizure emphasizes the ongoing blockade against sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth reaffirmed that the blockade remains active globally. The operation aligns with efforts by US President Donald Trump to target ships perceived as threats to the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere, amid broader US initiatives to enforce sanctions on oil shipments.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt identified the tanker as part of Venezuela's "shadow fleet," transporting oil under US sanctions. She noted that the vessel was deemed "stateless" after operating under a "false flag," warranting a judicial seizure order which empowered US actions. Leavitt stated that the crew is under investigation for potential violations of federal law and could face prosecution in the United States.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that despite attempts to evade capture, US forces successfully seized the vessel. She noted that the crew members are subject to an investigation for not complying with US Coast Guard orders, with criminal charges anticipated for responsible parties. Bondi's comments followed Russian demands for assurances on the treatment of its nationals aboard the ship. She warned that other non-compliant vessels are under scrutiny.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem highlighted that Bella 1 and another tanker, Sophia, were either last docked in Venezuela or en route there. She remarked that the reflagging and renaming of Bella 1 was a "desperate and failed attempt" to evade detection, emphasizing the global warning to criminals that evasion will not succeed.
The Wall Street Journal reported the US deployment of P-8 Poseidon aircraft and AC-130J gunships in the operation. The tanker resisted a Coast Guard boarding attempt near Venezuela in December, subsequently disabling its Automatic Identification System, changing its name, and re-registering under the Russian flag. According to CBS News, Moscow responded by deploying naval assets, including a submarine, to escort the vessel.
Russia's Foreign Ministry stated that the ship was operating in international waters under the Russian Federation's flag, in compliance with international maritime law, criticizing the "disproportionate attention" it received. The vessel had been sanctioned by Washington in 2024 for links to illicit oil transport involving Iranian crude and other blacklisted entities. The ship was en route to Venezuela for cargo loading when it evaded a Coast Guard boarding attempt by fleeing into the Atlantic Ocean. Venezuela has condemned the US actions as "international piracy," with the operation following a recent US military action in Venezuela targeting President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.