New Delhi: Following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the United States, with assistance from the United Kingdom, forcibly seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker named ‘Marinera’ in the North Atlantic Ocean. The UK Defence Ministry confirmed its role in supporting the US operation.
The US action has provoked strong reactions from Russia, raising concerns about a possible escalation in conflict. In a separate operation, the US military also took control of another tanker in the Caribbean Sea.
Both tankers were seized during distinct operations. The US military had previously announced that after weeks of pursuit, it captured a banned oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic. The European Command shared on the social media platform X that the vessel was seized under a US federal court warrant after tracking by the US Coast Guard Cutter Munro.
Reports from American media indicated that Russia dispatched a submarine to escort the empty oil tanker targeted by the US military, which had been trailing the vessel for weeks prior to the seizure attempt.
The tanker pursued by the US was formerly known as Bella-1. The US had been tracking Bella-1 since last month, though it initially evaded US military blockade attempts and resisted Coast Guard seizure efforts. After prolonged pursuit, the US finally succeeded in taking control of the tanker.
This development has heightened tensions between the US and Russia, while simultaneously increasing pressure on Venezuela. According to US media, Bella-1, an old and rusted tanker, was banned by the US in 2024 for operating as part of a shadow fleet carrying illegal Iranian oil.
Analytics firm Kepler noted that at the time of seizure, Bella-1 was not carrying any oil. Additionally, the US military announced the capture of another banned tanker ship in the Caribbean Sea.
The US Southern Command, responsible for the region, stated that American forces seized a restricted dark fleet motor tanker without incident. The captured vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating illegally in the Caribbean waters.
The recent seizures mark a significant escalation in maritime enforcement actions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the US, Russia, and Venezuela.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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