US Seizes Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker With Links To Venezuela

The United States has seized Bella-1, an oil tanker sailing under the Russian flag and linked to Venezuela, after tracking it across the Atlantic for several weeks.

In a post shared on X on Wednesday, the U.S. European Command said the vessel was seized for breaching international sanctions.

The tanker had already been sanctioned in 2024 for being part of a so-called “shadow fleet” moving illegal oil shipments. However, efforts to intercept it intensified only last month.

According to reports, U.S. authorities first tried to seize the ship when it was close to Venezuela, but it escaped after changing course.

During the chase, a Russian flag appeared painted on the hull, and the crew claimed the tanker was under Russia’s protection.

Shortly thereafter, the vessel was listed in Russia’s official ship registry under a new name, the Marinera.

Russia later submitted a diplomatic note asking the United States to halt efforts to capture the ship.

This seizure marks another step in Washington’s ongoing pressure campaign against Venezuela.

The U.S. has previously pushed Venezuela to cut economic ties with Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran and to work only with the United States on oil production.

The tanker’s switch to Russian registration could complicate the legal issues surrounding the U.S. action against it, especially as Russia holds one of the largest oil reserves in the world.

KanyiDaily recalls that the United Nations said that recent US air strikes in Venezuela and the capture of the country’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, clearly violated a core rule of international law.