US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela days after Maduro ‘capture’

The US military announced the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic for violating sanctions, ending weeks of pursuit by American forces. A post on U.S. European Command

“The ship was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by a US federal court after being tracked by the USCGC Munro,” the company tweeted. Additionally, “This seizure supports the @POTUS Proclamation to target sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere. The operation was conducted by DHS components with support from @DeptofWar and demonstrates a whole-of-government approach to protecting the homeland.”

@TheJusticeDept & @DHSgovin coordination with @DeptofWar announced that it was seized today
M/V Bella 1 for violation of US sanctions. The ship was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by a US federal court after being pursued by USCGC Munro. pic.twitter.com/bm5KcCK30X

— US European Command (@US_EUCOM) January 7, 2026

What did Russia say?

In a statement to state news agency Tass, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on the United States to “ensure humane and dignified treatment” of Russian citizens on the seized oil tanker and to respect their rights and interests. Russia’s Ministry of Transport said that under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, “no state has the right to use force against ships duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.”

The tanker was sanctioned by the United States in 2024. The tanker, originally called Bella 1, was later renamed Marinera. He was traveling from Iran to Venezuela. However, it reportedly changed course and returned to the Atlantic after trying to avoid a US blockade to seize sanctions-hit oil tankers operating near Venezuelan waters.