The United States is carrying out an operation to seize a Venezuela-linked oil tanker as part of its expanded pressure campaign following the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to CBS News.
The tanker, now known as the Marinera, was previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for its role in transporting oil tied to Venezuela and Iran.
The vessel is currently sailing under a Russian flag and has been tracked by U.S. authorities for weeks.
Russia has dispatched a submarine and several warships to escort a shadow-fleet tanker that the United States attempted to seize off the coast of Venezuela and is now pursuing in the Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal reports.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026
The tanker Bella 1 spent more than two weeks trying… pic.twitter.com/7uPpm9OvOw
Officials said the U.S. prefers to seize the ship rather than destroy it, using tactics similar to a recent Coast Guard and special forces operation that captured another tanker leaving Venezuelan waters.
U.S. officials confirmed that Russian naval assets, including a submarine, were deployed near the vessel during the pursuit. The tanker is believed to be part of a so-called shadow fleet used to move oil from sanctioned countries.
Venezuela has rejected U.S. allegations, accusing Washington of illegally targeting its resources.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
