US Forces Seize Russia-Flagged Tanker In North Atlantic After Lengthy Chase

"US naval forces have boarded and seized a runaway Russian shadow fleet tanker in the North Atlantic, the latest in a series of moves by Washington against vessels linked to illegal trade in Venezuelan oil. The US European Command said in a statement on social media on January 7 that the tanker, the Marinera, formerly named the Bella 1, was seized in the north Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and the United Kingdom."

"Earlier, Russian media showed a US helicopter hovering near the tanker amid reports from several media outlets quoting sources as saying an operation was being carried out involving the vessel. The move comes days after US forces struck Venezuela and captured its leader, Nicolas Maduro, in a dramatic raid that sent shock waves around the world. US forces have already seized two ships as part of a campaign against Venezuela in recent weeks: the Skipper on December 10 and the Centuries on December 20."

The Marinera, formerly Bella 1, was seized in the North Atlantic between Iceland and the United Kingdom pursuant to a U.S. federal court warrant after being tracked by USCGC Munro. A U.S. helicopter hovered near the tanker during the operation. The vessel previously departed Iran en route to Venezuela and was added to a Russian shipping registry after evading an earlier U.S. boarding attempt. The seizure follows recent U.S. actions against vessels linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil, including seizures of the Skipper and Centuries, and comes amid heightened tensions with Russia, which has lodged a diplomatic protest.

Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty