Amid growing international tension following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the United States has again been on the offensive and has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera. the seizure happened in the North Sea after US naval forces chased the vessel for more than 14 days. This comes after Russia decided to deploy its navy in order to ensure the protection of the vessel, NDTV reported.
US confirms seizure
A statement was posted on X by the Eastern Command of the United States military's European Command. Confirming the seizure operation, the statement mentioned that the tanker was seized by the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and War as it violated US sanctions.
The statement read, "This seizure supports @POTUS Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere. The operation was executed by DHS components with support from @DeptofWar, showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland."
Also Read | Returning from India, Telugu NRI couple die in US crash; driver charged
Hegseth and Noem hail seizure
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth re-posted the post on X, quoting, "The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT - anywhere in the world."
No Russian vessels were near the Marinera when the US Coast Guard boarded the ship, which averted a confrontation between US and Russian forces, The New York Times reported.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem posted on X, "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 Tanker Sophia - were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it."
Also Read | Russia deploys submarine to escort sanctioned tanker amid risk of US confrontation
Noem added, "The world's criminals are on notice. You can run, but you can't hide. We will never relent in our mission to protect the American people and disrupt the funding of narco terrorism wherever we find it, period."
The Marinera was originally called the Bella 1. The Russian tanker was originally sanctioned by the US in 2024, after which its name was changed. While travelling from Iran to Venezuela, the tanker changed its route and steered into the Atlantic. The detour was aimed at avoiding a US blockade, which was attempting to seize the sanction-hit oil tankers operating near the Venezuelan coast.
