In a rare and dramatic operation, the United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Marinera, after pursuing it for more than two weeks across the Atlantic. The vessel, linked to Venezuelan oil exports under U.S. sanctions, was intercepted near Iceland following previous attempts to board it in the Caribbean.
Officials said the operation involved both the U.S. Coast Guard and military, with special forces initially securing the tanker before handing it over to Coast Guard control. Remarkably, Russian naval vessels, including a submarine, were reportedly shadowing the vessel, though no clashes occurred.
The seizure comes as part of Washington’s ongoing efforts to block sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments, a campaign that recently included a high-stakes raid in Caracas, resulting in Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro being turned over to U.S. authorities on alleged drug trafficking charges.
On the same day, the U.S. also intercepted another Venezuela-linked tanker, the Panama-flagged M Sophia, highlighting the growing focus on what officials call the “shadow fleet” of ships attempting to evade sanctions.
Russia condemned the seizure as a violation of maritime law, calling it an act of piracy, while the U.S. maintains it is enforcing sanctions authorized under federal law.
The fate of the Marinera remains unclear, but sources suggest it may soon enter British or other Western waters for legal processing, marking a rare escalation in U.S.–Russia maritime tensions.
About The Author
