The United States is reportedly trying to take control of a Russian flagged oil tanker with connections to Venezuela after tracking it for more than two weeks across the Atlantic Ocean. According to a report by Reuters, the operation is unfolding even as a Russian submarine and a warship were operating in nearby waters, citing two American officials familiar with the situation.
The attempted seizure, which could further strain relations between Washington and Moscow, follows the tanker’s escape from a US maritime blockade targeting sanctioned vessels. The ship, previously known as Bella 1, had also resisted earlier attempts by the US Coast Guard to board it. Officials said the current operation is being jointly conducted by the Coast Guard and the United States military.
Sources added that Russian naval assets, including a submarine, were present in the general area during the operation, though their exact proximity remains unclear. The interception is reportedly taking place near Iceland.
Reuters noted that this appears to be the first known instance in recent times where the United States military has moved to seize a vessel sailing under a Russian flag. The development comes only days after a covert overnight operation by US Special Forces in Caracas that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Russian state broadcaster RT aired images showing a helicopter hovering near the tanker, now called Marinera, suggesting that American forces were attempting to board the vessel. The report added that the tanker, which has been sanctioned by the United States, was not carrying any cargo at the time.
In a related development, the US Coast Guard also stopped another tanker linked to Venezuela near the northeastern coast of South America. This marked the fourth such interception in recent weeks, according to AFP.
Earlier interception attempts
US authorities had first tried to stop the same tanker last month, but the vessel refused to comply with boarding requests. Shortly after that incident, it was re registered under a Russian flag. Now operating under the name Marinera, the tanker has become the latest target in a series of maritime enforcement actions launched since US President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Venezuela.
Separately, US officials told Reuters that another Venezuela linked tanker was also intercepted in Latin American waters, underscoring Washington’s continued efforts to enforce a maritime blockade against vessels associated with Venezuelan oil exports.
