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U.S. forces have seized a sanctioned, Russian-flagged oil tanker within the North Atlantic after it slipped out of Venezuela final month.
The vessel was initially pursued by the U.S. Coast Guard in December 2025 after it tried to evade a U.S. blockade round Venezuela. The ship refused boarding by the U.S. Coast Guard when it tried to grab it.
The ship is one in all a number of sanctioned oil tankers that had been working near Venezuela inside a “shadow fleet,” and had been beneath U.S. watch since 2024 for allegedly transporting illicit cargo for a corporation linked to a Lebanese faction of the militant group Hezbollah.
The M/V Bella 1 was seized by U.S forces on Wednesday within the North Atlantic.
U.S. European Command / X
The tanker had not too long ago modified its identify from Bella 1 to the Marinera and adopted a Russian flag.
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Earlier Wednesday, open-source maritime monitoring websites confirmed its place between Scotland and Iceland, travelling north. A U.S. official additionally confirmed to The Related Press that the ship was within the North Atlantic.
U.S. navy planes have flown over the vessel, and on Tuesday, a Royal Air Power surveillance aircraft was proven on flight-tracking websites flying over the identical space.
A second “stateless” vessel was seized in worldwide waters early Wednesday, the U.S. Southern Command introduced on X.
“By means of Operation Southern Spear, the Division of Battle is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit exercise within the Western Hemisphere. We are going to defend our Homeland and restore safety and energy throughout the Americas,” the submit reads.
Footage of the raid reveals a helicopter hovering above the oil tanker.
M/T Sophia was working in worldwide waters and conducting illicit actions within the Caribbean Sea, in line with the U.S. navy.
Following the seizures, U.S. Secretary of Battle Pete Hegseth stated the nation will proceed to implement a blockade in opposition to sanctioned vessels, which he stated are “stealing from the Venezuelan individuals.”
“Solely reliable and lawful vitality commerce—as decided by the U.S.—will probably be permitted,” he continued.
The tanker’s seizure comes simply days after U.S. navy forces carried out a shock nighttime raid on Venezuela’s capital of Caracas and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse.
Within the wake of the raid, which, in line with NBC Information, is being led by the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety with the backing of the U.S. armed forces, Trump administration officers have stated they intend to proceed seizing sanctioned vessels linked to the nation.
It is a growing story. Please examine again for updates.
— With information from The Related Press
© 2026 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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