How US Seize a Russian Flagged Oil Tanker

#us #oiltanker #venezuela #shorts #usa On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in the North Atlantic, a high-stakes geopolitical confrontation turned into a major maritime operation. The United States, enforcing a blockade on Venezuelan oil shipments, intercepted and seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker formerly known as Bella 1 — renamed Marinera — after a weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic. The vessel was identified by U.S. intelligence as part of a “shadow fleet” — a network of tankers used to move sanctioned Venezuelan oil and evade Western sanctions. Previously, the Bella 1 had attempted to break the U.S. blockade near Venezuela, shutting off its transponder and fleeing into open waters, prompting an extended U.S. Coast Guard pursuit. At one point, the tanker raised a Russian flag, and Russia reportedly positioned naval assets nearby — including a submarine — in an effort to deter interception. This operation is part of an expanded U.S. campaign to enforce sanctions and disrupt the “shadow fleet,” which has included multiple tanker seizures in recent weeks. The U.S. says these actions aim to prevent sanctioned Venezuelan oil from reaching global markets, while critics raise concerns about maritime law and international tensions.