Archive · 8 Jan 2026
US Seizes Russian-Flagged Venezuelan Oil Tanker
The United States is trying to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker called Marinera, which used to be called Bella-1.
This tanker is linked to Venezuela and has been evading a US blockade for over two weeks.
The US Coast Guard and military are trying to board the tanker, which is currently empty and sailing near Iceland.
Russia has sent a submarine and other naval ships to protect the tanker, making the situation tense.
The tanker changed its flag from Guyanese to Russian to avoid US authorities.
The US is trying to stop ships that carry oil from countries under sanctions, like Venezuela.
This action could make the relationship between the US and Russia more complicated.
The US is attempting to seize the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, formerly Bella-1, after a two-week pursuit.
The tanker is linked to Venezuela and has been evading a US maritime blockade on sanctioned oil tankers.
US Coast Guard and military forces are attempting to board the tanker, which is currently empty and sailing near Iceland.
Russia has deployed a submarine and naval assets to escort and protect the tanker, escalating tensions.
The tanker changed its flag from Guyanese to Russian to avoid US authorities and is part of a 'shadow fleet' of sanctioned tankers.
- Who
- United States, Russia, Venezuela
- What
- US attempts to seize Russian-flagged Venezuelan oil tanker Marinera
- When
- After a two-week pursuit, ongoing as of January 7, 2026
- Where
- North Sea, near Iceland
- Why
- To enforce US sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports and disrupt illicit oil shipments
- Tanker Name
- Marinera (formerly Bella-1)
- Current Location
- North Sea, near Iceland
- Involved Countries
- United States, Russia, Venezuela
- Reason for Pursuit
- US maritime blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers
- Tanker Status
- Empty
- US Forces Involved
- Coast Guard and US military
- Russian Response
- Deployed submarine and naval assets to escort the tanker
- Legal Status
- Registered under Russian flag after evading US authorities
- US Operation
- Attempting to board the tanker
Sources
Russia sends submarine to escort tanker the US tried to seize off Venezuela
Russia sends submarine to escort tanker targeted by US near Venezuela: Report
Russia deploys submarine, naval assets to shield tanker from possible US seizure; video emerges
Tanker hanker: Russia sends submarine to escort tanker being pursued by US
Russia sends submarine to shadow oil tanker chased by US near Venezuela | Watch
Exclusive-US seizing Venezuela-linked oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit
Russia sends navy to guard oil tanker which US tried to seize off Venezuela
Days After Venezuela Op, US Forces Prepare To Board Russia-Flagged Tanker
US Moves To Seize Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker After Weeks-Long Atlantic Pursuit: Report
Global oil prices fall as China hits out at US over Venezuelan crude diversion
Exclusive-US seizing Venezuela-linked, Russian-flagged oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit
US Seizing Venezuela-Linked, Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker
US Forces Seize Venezuela-Linked, Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker After Weeks-Long Pursuit
Why Russia Sent a Submarine to Guard a Sanctioned Oil Tanker Near Venezuela
US seeks to seize Venezuela-linked, Russian-flagged oil tanker after two-week Atlantic chase
US seizing Venezuela-linked, Russian-flagged oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit
China slams US demand for Venezuela oil exclusively, calls it ‘typical bullying’
US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after weeks-long Atlantic pursuit
US seizes Venezuela-linked, Russian-flagged oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit
Escalation at sea: US seizes Russian flagged tanker in Atlantic linked to Venezuela oil
US seizes Venezuela-linked, Russian-flagged oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit
Watch: US seizes Russian oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit
US Seizes Russia-Flagged Oil Tanker Linked To Venezuela In North Atlantic - VIDEO
US forces seize Russia-flagged oil tanker with Venezuela links after dramatic chase in the North Atlantic
Trump’s oil push widens with seizure of Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela
US tries to seize Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela
Enforcing ‘blockade’ of Venezuelan oil exports, US seizes Russian-flagged vessel after Atlantic chase
US military seizes second Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Caribbean Sea
US military seizes stateless ‘dark fleet’ tanker M/T Sophia in international waters
UK supported US mission to seize Russian oil tanker, MoD says
Flag Paint, Name Change, Russian Request: What Oil Tanker Did To Escape US
UK supported US mission to seize Russian-flagged oil tanker, MoD says
US military seizes stateless, sanctioned 'dark fleet' tanker Sophia in international waters — video
'No State Has Right to Use Force Against Vessels Duly Registered...': Russia Slams US Over Seizure of Oil Tanker
Russia says US seizure of oil tanker is illegal, lawmaker calls it piracy
US seizes two oil tankers linked to Venezuela for violating sanctions
US Forces Seize Second Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker In Caribbean Sea | WATCH
Russia condemns US seizure of oil tanker Marinera in Atlantic, calls move violation of maritime law
US seizes another oil tanker in Caribbean: 'Will crush illicit activity in Western Hemisphere'
'Outright piracy': Moscow says no state has the right to use force after US seizes Russian-flagged tanker
'US has 'maximum leverage' in governance of Venezuela': White House
Russia says US seizure of oil tanker is illegal, lawmaker calls it piracy
Russia asks US to return its citizens from seized tanker
After Russian-flagged oil tanker, US seizes another sanctioned vessel in Caribbean Sea
Law Violation, Treat Russian Crew Fairly: Moscow On US Tanker Seizure
Russia demands swift return of nationals from seized oil tanker
US seizes Russian-flagged tanker, another tied to Venezuela as Trump widens oil push
US Forces Seize Russia-Flagged Oil Tanker 'Marinera' in Dramatic Atlantic Chase - Is There a Venezuela Link?
