US Seizes Russian-Flagged Tanker Linked to Venezuela

The U.S. military has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker called the Marinera linked to Venezuelan oil in the North Atlantic Ocean. The tanker was intercepted for allegedly breaking U.S. sanctions while sailing in international waters northwest of Scotland.

The Marinera was previously named Bella 1 and had been followed by the U.S. Coast Guard and military for more than two weeks before it was taken over. The U.S. European Command said the action was carried out by the U.S. Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security along with the military.

Officials allege the tanker is part of a “shadow fleet” used to move oil for countries such as Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, in ways that violate U.S. sanctions.

Russia has strongly protested the seizure. The Russian Transport Ministry said that under international law, no country has the right to use force against a ship lawfully registered to another country, and criticised the U.S. action. Russia also said that communications with the vessel were lost after U.S. forces boarded it.

The tanker had recently been given temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag, according to Russian officials.

The seizure has drawn international attention, adding to growing tensions over how oil linked to Venezuela and other sanctioned nations is transported and controlled.