U.S. seizes Russia‑flagged oil tanker tied to Venezuela under sanctions

Time reports U.S. forces have seized an oil tanker linked to Venezuela and sailing under a Russian flag, U.S. European Command confirmed Wednesday morning. The Command said the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department, in coordination with the military, took the vessel for “violations of U.S.

sanctions” amid a blockade on certain oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela. The Command said the vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant after being tracked by USCGC Munro, and Reuters first reported the interception. The tanker, previously called Bella 1, has historically transported Venezuelan crude though it reportedly was not carrying any at the time of the seizure; it was sanctioned in 2024 over an alleged link to Iran‑backed militant groups including the Houthis and Hezbollah.

U.S. officials told multiple outlets that Russia had sent a submarine and other naval vessels to escort the ship during a more than two‑week pursuit, while the New York Times, citing two officials, reported no Russian vessels were in the vicinity when it was seized. The U.S. Coast Guard had tried to board the vessel in the Caribbean last month but the ship refused, turned away, fled, changed its name to Marinera and re‑registered as a Russian vessel.

Key Topics

World, Venezuela, Russia, Sophia, Sanctions