US tries to intercept vessel with Venezuela links as it flees across Atlantic, Russian military closes in

The United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday following a pursuit that stretched more than two weeks across the Atlantic Ocean, according to two US officials cited by Reuters. The operation concluded near Iceland and was part of Washington’s broader effort to crack down on Venezuelan oil exports that it considers illegal under US sanctions.

According to Reuters, US officials said the tanker had been under close surveillance after evading a US maritime blockade in the Caribbean. During the chase, a Russian submarine was reported to be shadowing the vessel, underscoring the geopolitical sensitivity of the operation and raising tensions as the pursuit moved into the North Atlantic.

The seizure appears to mark the first known instance in recent years of the US military taking control of a ship sailing under a Russian flag, a significant escalation amid already strained relations between Washington and Moscow.

The seizure comes right after Maduro’s capture

The tanker was originally operating under the name “Bella-1” when it refused to allow the US Coast Guard to board it in the Caribbean. Following that confrontation, the vessel changed its name to “Marinera” and re-registered under the Russian flag, a move US officials say was intended to complicate enforcement efforts.

American authorities believe the ship was involved in transporting Venezuelan oil in violation of US sanctions. The seizure highlights the increasingly aggressive steps the US is willing to take to enforce those measures, even as they intersect with Russian interests and military assets.

The US European Command posted on X that the Trump administration seized the vessel because it violated US sanctions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to the post, saying the blockade of illegal Venezuelan oil “remains in FULL EFFECT – anywhere in the world.”

The Coast Guard and US military carried out the operation. Russian military ships were nearby, including a submarine, but there were no signs of any fight between US and Russian forces. However, China issued a warning to America following Trump’s statements about controlling Venezuela.

The seizure happened just days after US special forces raided Caracas early Saturday morning and captured President Nicolas Maduro. The military took him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.

It’s not clear where the seized ship will go now, but sources say it will likely enter British waters. The British Ministry of Defence did not comment on this. Trump has said Venezuela needs recovery before holding elections in the country.

The Coast Guard has also stopped another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters. This ship is the Panama-flagged supertanker M Sophia, which is under sanctions. It left Venezuelan waters in early January with its tracking system turned off and was heading to China with Venezuelan oil.