US seizes Venezuela-linked tanker that reflagged to Russia

The United States has seized an oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a week-long pursuit.

This was reported by Reuters, citing two U.S. officials.

The operation, which could heighten tensions between the United States and Russia, came after the Marinera, originally known as the Bella-1, slipped through a maritime “blockade” of U.S. sanctions-hit tankers and repelled attempts by the U.S. Coast Guard to board it.

 The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the operation was being conducted by the Coast Guard and the U.S. military. They added that Russian warships, including a Russian submarine, were nearby when the operation took place.

Separately, US officials told Reuters that the US Coast Guard has intercepted another tanker linked to Venezuela in Latin American waters as the US continues to impose a naval “blockade” of vessels from Venezuela that are subject to sanctions

 The USM previously reported that the “Marinera” tanker, which the US has been pursuing off the coast of Venezuela for more than a week, has changed its name and flag to Russian and is heading north.