U.S. Navy Intercepts Russian Oil Tanker Amid Ongoing Sanctions and Venezuela Crisis

Washington claims that the tanker is part of a covert fleet transporting oil for nations like Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, contravening U.S. sanctions, and it was seized even though it had Russian Navy escorts.

The ship had previously evaded an attempt to board it last month near the oil-rich coast of Venezuela, where a recent U.S. operation led to the ousting of Nicolás Maduro, the authoritarian president and a close ally of Russia.

According to a statement from U.S. European Command on X, «The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic under a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court.» Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth affirmed that the U.S. blockade on Venezuelan oil is being fully enforced around the globe.

Russia’s Transport Ministry criticized the action, asserting that «freedom of navigation applies in international waters.»

The Foreign Ministry of Russia urged the U.S. to expedite the return of the Russian crew from the vessel, while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that they might be brought to the U.S. for prosecution.

The vessel, previously named Bella-1, recently changed its registration to Russia and was renamed Marinera, with the crew reportedly painting a Russian flag on it.

Leavitt stated that Washington considers the vessel to be stateless.

Additionally, the U.S. military announced the capture of a second sanctioned tanker in the Caribbean Sea, raising the total to four vessels that the U.S. has seized since last month.

Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem posted on X, indicating that both ships «were either last docked in Venezuela or on their way there,» and included a video showing armed U.S. forces descending from a helicopter onto an unmarked ship.

The operation in the North Atlantic proceeded despite reports of Russia deploying a submarine and additional naval resources to escort the tanker.

It was en route to Venezuela when it successfully avoided the U.S. blockade and has been under U.S. sanctions since 2024 due to alleged affiliations with Iran and Hezbollah.

In a recent operation, U.S. special forces captured Maduro and his wife in Caracas and transported them to New York to face drug charges.

Trump has stated that the U.S. will take control of Venezuela and that American companies will manage its key oil sector.

Brian Finucane from the International Crisis Group noted that the seizure of vessels aligns with the broader theme concerning Venezuela and the current administration’s foreign policy approach, which is focused on acquiring oil, quite literally.

Following criticisms from lawmakers, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. has a strategic plan for Venezuela, assuring that the White House is «not just improvising.»

In Caracas, after several days of closed shops and sporadic public transport, the streets were bustling again on Wednesday with pedestrians, street vendors, vehicles, and motorcycles.

On Tuesday, Trump indicated that 30-50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude would be sent to U.S. ports, with revenue potentially exceeding $2 billion at current market rates being placed under his direct control.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright added on Wednesday that Washington plans to maintain control over Venezuelan oil sales indefinitely, while state oil company PDVSA noted ongoing negotiations for crude sales to the U.S.

Leavitt stated that proceeds from Venezuelan crude sales will be directed into U.S.-controlled accounts and subsequently «allocated for the benefit of both the American and Venezuelan peoples.»

Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, a long-time ally of Maduro, pledged cooperation with the U.S. amid concerns that Trump could instigate broader regime changes, with Leavitt asserting that the country’s decisions will now be «governed» by Washington.