US military and Coast Guard personnel have seized a Russian oil tanker in the North Atlantic following a dramatic two-week pursuit across the ocean. The operation marks a significant escalation in Washington’s enforcement of Venezuela-related sanctions.
The vessel, known as Marinera but formerly called Bella 1, was boarded by American forces approximately 190 miles off Iceland’s southern coast on Wednesday morning.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation, declaring that “the blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in full effect – anywhere in the world.”
The United States continues to enforce the blockade against all dark fleet vessels illegally transporting Venezuelan oil to finance illicit activity, stealing from the Venezuelan people. Only legitimate and lawful energy commerce—as determined by the U.S.—will be permitted.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 7, 2026
Double Seizure Rattles Moscow
The US executed two coordinated pre-dawn boarding operations on Wednesday. Beyond the Marinera, Coast Guard forces also intercepted the M/T Sophia in Caribbean waters.
Both vessels are suspected of operating within Venezuela’s “shadow fleet” – a network of tankers transporting sanctioned oil to evade international restrictions.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the Coast Guard’s persistence. “Motor Tanker Bella 1 has been trying to evade the Coast Guard for weeks, even changing its flag and painting a new name on the hull while being pursued,” she said.
The US Coast Guard Cutter Munro pursued the Russian oil tanker “across the high seas and through treacherous storms” before the successful seizure.
The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure of
the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro. pic.twitter.com/bm5KcCK30X— U.S. European Command (@US_EUCOM) January 7, 2026
Cat-and-Mouse Chase Across Atlantic
The pursuit began in late December when Coast Guard forces first attempted to board the vessel near Venezuela. The crew refused boarding, prompting the ship to flee into the Atlantic.
As American forces tracked the tanker, its crew took extraordinary measures to evade capture:
- Painted a Russian flag on the hull
- Changed the vessel’s name from Bella 1 to Marinera
- Registered under the Russian Federation flag
- Listed Sochi as its home port
The tanker had been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in June 2024 for allegedly transporting cargo linked to Hezbollah-connected companies.
Russian Submarine Shadows Operation
According to US officials, Russia deployed a submarine and additional naval vessels to escort the Marinera as it transited the North Atlantic. The exact proximity of Russian forces during the seizure remains unclear, though there were no reports of direct confrontation.
Moscow formally requested that Washington cease its pursuit of the vessel. Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern over what it termed “disproportionate attention” from US and NATO forces.
The Russian Transport Ministry condemned the seizure as a violation of international maritime law. “In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states,” the ministry stated.
UK Provides Military Support
Britain worked alongside US forces in planning and executing the seizure. UK Defence Secretary John Healey described the vessel as part of the “Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion.”
“Today our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful US interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia,” Healey said.
At least 12 US C-17 transport aircraft landed at British airbases between 3 and 5 January. V-22 Ospreys and AC-130 gunships were also deployed to UK facilities ahead of the operation.
US P-8 surveillance aircraft operating from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk tracked the tanker for days as it moved past the UK coast.
In two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two “ghost fleet” tanker ships— one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean. Both vessels —the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor… pic.twitter.com/EZlHEtcufX
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 7, 2026
Venezuela Connection Fuels Tensions
The seizures come just days after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a pre-dawn raid on Caracas. President Trump subsequently announced that Washington would “run” Venezuela until a stable transition could occur.
Trump has demanded that Venezuela hand over 30-50 million barrels of oil to the United States, describing it as compensation for allegedly stolen assets.
The Venezuelan situation has created diplomatic ripples globally, with interim President Delcy Rodríguez insisting that “Venezuela does not surrender.”
Shadow Fleet Under Scrutiny
The Marinera represents one vessel in a network of approximately 1,000 tankers that transport oil from sanctioned nations including Russia, Iran and Venezuela.
These vessels employ sophisticated evasion tactics:
- Broadcasting false location data (spoofing)
- Operating with transponders switched off
- Conducting ship-to-ship transfers in poorly monitored areas
- Switching flags and registrations while at sea
Industry analysts estimate that over a dozen sanctioned tankers have recently switched to Russian registry to seek state protection against seizures and drone attacks.
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What Happens Next
The M/T Sophia is being escorted to the United States for “final disposition,” according to US Southern Command. The fate of the Marinera remains unclear, though it may enter British territorial waters.
Both vessels are now under American control. No US personnel were injured during either boarding operation.
The seizures signal an escalation in Trump’s pressure campaign against Venezuela, which has included deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels and a comprehensive naval blockade.
As tensions mount between Washington and Moscow over the operation, the incident may complicate ongoing discussions about ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The geopolitical implications extend beyond Venezuela, with China closely monitoring developments given its reliance on Russian, Iranian and Venezuelan oil imports.
