US Russia Oil Tanker Seizure 2026: North Atlantic Naval Standoff
US forces prepare to seize the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic. Follow the escalation between Washington and Moscow after Maduro's arrest.
The North Atlantic is turning into a high-stakes chessboard. Just days after the dramatic extraction of Nicolás Maduro from Caracas, US forces are now positioning to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in international waters.
The Hunt for the Marinera: US Russia Oil Tanker Seizure 2026
Two US officials told CBS News that American forces plan to intercept the 'Marinera', a vessel currently located between Scotland and Iceland. The tanker, formerly known as the 'Bella 1', has a long history of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan crude oil.
President Donald Trump ordered a total blockade of sanctioned tankers last month. Despite the ship reflagging to the Russian Federation and changing its name to evade detection, tracking data shows it was approximately 2,000km west of continental Europe as of Tuesday.
Russia's Warning and International Law
Russia's foreign ministry stated they're "closely monitoring with concern" the "abnormal situation" surrounding their vessel. They argue the ship is sailing in full compliance with international maritime law. However, maritime experts note that US action is driven by the vessel's underlying IMO number and ownership network, not its painted markings.
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