An oil tanker flying a Russian flag has been seized by the U.S., reportedly due to links to Venezuela.
The Marinera was chased by the States over the course of a week, which was documented in real time by analysts, before being seized on Thursday in the North Atlantic.
"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,” U.S. European Command confirmed on X.
Last month the ship fled the U.S. blockade around Venezuela, where it carried out seizures of other oil tankers, and changed her name from the Bella 1 to the Marinera.
Over the last week the Trump administration's tension with Venezuela reached a fever pitch, after American forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and took him back to U.S. soil for trial.
Russia, a supporter of Maduro, has now accused the administration of violating maritime law by seizing the oil tanker with their flag.
Speaking to reporters, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the seizure was part of three phase plan of "stabilization" efforts for Venezuela.
