UPDATE: U.S. U.S. seizes Venezuela-linked oil tanker after Atlantic pursuit

The United States has seized a Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean after a dramatic two-week pursuit, marking a significant escalation in Washington’s pressure campaign against Caracas.

The vessel, known as the Marinera and later renamed and registered under a Russian flag as the Bella-1, was intercepted near Iceland on Wednesday. According to U.S. officials, the tanker had long been under sanctions by the Treasury Department and was suspected of transporting Venezuelan crude in violation of international restrictions.

The operation unfolded against a tense geopolitical backdrop. Reports indicated that Russia had deployed naval escorts, including a submarine, to shadow the tanker during its voyage. Despite these measures, U.S. forces ultimately boarded and seized the vessel after it evaded earlier Coast Guard attempts in the Caribbean.

This marks the first time in recent memory that the U.S. military has seized a Russian-flagged vessel, underscoring the high stakes of the confrontation. The seizure comes just days after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a development that has further heightened tensions between Washington, Moscow, and Caracas.

American officials described the action as part of a broader “blockade” aimed at curbing Venezuela’s oil exports and dismantling networks that help sustain Maduro’s government. CBS News reported that the tanker had been a focus of U.S. efforts since last month, with intelligence linking its movements to Venezuelan state interests.

The dramatic pursuit and eventual seizure highlight the growing intersection of energy politics and global security, as Washington seeks to choke off Venezuela’s oil revenues while navigating increasingly fraught relations with Russia