> At a Glance
> – The U.S. seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic
> – The ship, formerly Bella 1, was wanted for breaching U.S. sanctions on Venezuela
> – The weekslong pursuit ended after a federal warrant was executed
> – Why it matters: The move tightens the U.S. blockade on Venezuelan oil and raises tensions with Moscow
A cat-and-mouse game across the Atlantic ended Wednesday when U.S. forces boarded and seized the Marinera, a tanker that had spent weeks dodging authorities while carrying sanctioned Venezuelan crude.
The Takedown
The Department of Homeland Security led the operation, backed by the U.S. military and tracked by the coast-guard cutter Munro, according to U.S. European Command. A federal court had issued a warrant for the vessel.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underlined the message:
> “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT – anywhere in the world.”
The tanker had changed its name from Bella 1 to Marinera and swapped earlier flags for Russia in a maneuver officials say is common among dark-fleet ships.
Moscow Responds
The Russian Foreign Ministry cried foul, saying the tanker was:
- Sailing 4,000 km from U.S. shores
- In international waters under the Russian flag
- Facing disproportionate U.S. and NATO attention
State outlet RT aired footage claiming an attempted hijacking; the clip showed fog and a distant Coast Guard ship.
Military Build-Up
Flight trackers logged a surge of U.S. aircraft near Scotland last weekend:
| Aircraft Type | Number | Role |
|---|---|---|
| C-17A Globemaster III | 13 | Heavy lift |
| P-8A Poseidon | 2 | Maritime patrol |
| KC-135 Stratotanker | 1 | Refueler |
| C-130J Hercules | 2 | Tactical transport |
| U-28A Draco | 3 | Special ops |
The U.K. military declined to comment on any role in the seizure.
Wider Net
At least three more sanctioned tankers that once loitered off Venezuela have re-flagged to Russia in recent weeks:
- Malak → now Sintez
- Dianchi → now Expander
- Veronica → now Galileo
U.S. Southern Command warned it stays “vigilant, agile, and postured” to intercept others.
Key Takeaways
- The Marinera becomes the latest vessel caught in Washington’s Venezuelan oil clampdown
- Real-time tracking by civilian analysts kept the tanker in public view for weeks
- The seizure signals no safe distance for sanctions-busting ships
- Russia’s flag offers no shield from U.S. enforcement
With the tanker now in U.S. custody, the episode shows the long reach of American sanctions-and the digital dragnet waiting for those who test it.
