The US European Command says the vessel has been captured over supposed “violations of sanctions”.
The US military on Wednesday seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic, after pursuing it all the way from the Caribbean Sea.
The vessel, previously named Bella 1, was intercepted for alleged “violation of US sanctions” in the international waters to the northwest of Scotland.
The action was taken by the US Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security in coordination with the military, the US European Command has announced.
“The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro,” it said.
The action against the tanker supports US President Donald Trump’s “proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere,” the command noted. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that the seizure of the vessel was related to the “blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil.”
The tanker first came into the US crosshairs after reportedly trying to approach Venezuela late last year. The US Coast Guard attempted to detain the vessel, yet the crew declined to let the Americans on board, and headed for the Atlantic. During the pursuit, the vessel changed its name and switched to the Russian flag.
Shortly after the capture of the Marinera, the US Southern Command said it had seized another vessel in the Caribbean Sea, describing it as “a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker.”
“The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea. The US Coast Guard is escorting M/T Sophia to the US for final disposition,” the command stated.
Outrageous brazen act of piracy on the high seas
Outrageous brazen act of piracy upon the high sea
Repeat: Outrage and unacceptable
The US is a pirate ship
The plantation
A tax farm
Donald Drumph is its captain
Navigating it into dangerous turbulent and uncharted waters
Sodom Gomorrah
US military breached UN maritime convention – Russia
https://www.rt.com/russia/630704-us-military-maritime-law/
During the pursuit the vessel changed its name and switched to the Russian flag
“Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere”
The United States European Command
As usual the US ropes in others in an attempt to garner some semblance of credibility and respectability to mask its illicit and dangerous activities
The EU Brexit without exit fits that bill
Pitiful pathetic and abysmal display of uncoordinated mayhem masquerading as a constitutional republic
There’s a monster on the loose
A Law unto itself not in control of its Own faculties but led through the snout to its Own destruction
I wonder if this is a provocation seeking a response. Then claim Russia is the aggressor.
The United States of America is a bankrupt corporation.
Trump is starting WW3 https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/01/08/1983914.html