US seizes Russian-flagged tanker tied to Venezuela after weeks-long Atlantic pursuit

This story has been updated to include the US Coast Guard's video of the operation

Update: Hailing the operation as an effort to 'uphold international law' and 'defend America', the US Coast Guard X handle posted a video they captioned:  "Alongside @DeptofWar, @USCG conducted a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Bella I this morning in the North Atlantic.

Following a sustained shadowing effort across the Atlantic by Coast Guard Cutter Munro, tactical Coast Guard teams leveraged our powerful maritime law enforcement authorities to secure Bella I through a tightly executed joint operation. Through a whole of government effort and seamless coordination, our maritime fighting force is proud to own the sea, uphold international law, and defend America."

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WASHINGTON, DC: The United States on Wednesday, January 7, launched and concluded an operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela, following a dramatic pursuit that stretched across the Atlantic Ocean, according to US officials.

The vessel had been tracked for weeks after evading earlier boarding attempts by the US Coast Guard. 

The seizure comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions involving Washington, Moscow, and Caracas, and follows a broader US campaign targeting sanctioned oil shipments tied to Venezuela. US officials said the tanker has now been secured.

Sanctioned tanker secured after weeks-long pursuit 

The sanctioned ship, which changed its name from the Bella 1 to the Marinera, was secured during the operation on Wednesday, according to a US official.

The tanker had first been pursued by the US Coast Guard off Venezuela last month but avoided interception and later re-registered under a Russian flag.

US officials said that the Marinera had been on the sanctions list since June 2024 and was considered part of what they described as Venezuela’s “dark fleet” of vessels used to evade international sanctions.

A US official familiar with the matter said the tanker had been “flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.”

The pursuit became a high-profile flashpoint after the tanker slipped through what US officials have characterized as a maritime blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments.

As of Monday, ship-tracking data showed the Marinera operating off the west coast of Scotland in the North Atlantic.

The operation was carried out by the US Coast Guard with support from the US military, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Reuters reported that Russian naval assets, including a submarine and a warship, were operating in the general vicinity of the seizure, though it was unclear how close they were to the tanker at the time.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that it was “monitoring with concern the anomalous situation surrounding the Russian oil tanker Marinera.” 

It added that the vessel was operating “in full compliance with international maritime law” while receiving what it described as “clearly disproportionate” attention from US and NATO forces.

Rising tensions as US expands Venezuela oil crackdown 

The seizure comes as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Venezuela following a recent US military operation that resulted in the capture of now-ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

US officials have accused Venezuela of using illicit oil shipments to evade sanctions, while Venezuelan officials have denounced the US actions as illegal and politically motivated.

Trump said that Venezuela would hand over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, describing the country’s vast energy reserves as central to his administration’s strategy.

The comments underscored growing tensions with Russia and China, both of which have maintained close ties with the Maduro government.

The Marinera is not the only tanker drawing US scrutiny.

At least three other vessels operating near Venezuela, previously sailing under flags from Comoros and Guyana, have recently re-registered under Russian flags, according to shipping records.

US Southern Command said on Tuesday that it remains “ready to support” efforts to counter sanctioned vessels and added that its forces are “vigilant, agile, and postured to track vessels of interest.”