Photo Credit: X/U.S. European Command

U.S. forces on Wednesday attempted to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a more than two-week pursuit across the Atlantic Ocean, two U.S. officials told Reuters. The operation is part of a broader U.S. effort to enforce a maritime blockade of Venezuelan oil exports under sanctions.

The tanker, originally named the Bella-1, slipped through a U.S. naval blockade in the Caribbean and resisted efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard to board it last month. It later registered under the Russian flag and was renamed Marinera as it made its way toward northern Atlantic waters near Iceland.

Officials said the seizure attempt was being carried out by the Coast Guard and U.S. military, marking what appears to be the first U.S. effort in recent memory to take control of a Russian-flagged vessel. Russian naval vessels, including a submarine, were reported in the general vicinity of the operation, though there were no indications of direct confrontation at the time.

The pursuit comes amid heightened U.S. actions targeting Venezuelan oil shipments following President Donald Trump’s order to block sanctioned tankers from entering or leaving Venezuelan ports. In recent weeks, the Coast Guard has also intercepted other Venezuela-linked vessels as part of the enforcement effort.

This latest operation follows days after a dramatic U.S. raid in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were taken to the United States to face prosecution on drug trafficking charges.

The Marinera’s attempted seizure underscores continuing tensions over energy sanctions and maritime enforcement, especially as Russian military assets shadow the pursuit. U.S. and Russian officials have not yet commented publicly on the evolving situation.

Credit: Reuters