Reuters reported on the beginning of the seizure of a tanker off the coast of Latin America

The United States has launched an operation to seize the Venezuelan-linked Marinera oil tanker, formerly known as Bella-1, after more than two weeks of chasing across the Atlantic. This was reported on Wednesday, January 7, by the Reuters news agency, citing an American official.

"The United States is trying to seize an oil tanker linked to Venezuela after more than two weeks of chasing across the Atlantic," the article says.

It is specified that the operation is being carried out by the Coast Guard and the US armed Forces.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry said yesterday that the Russian Federation is monitoring the situation with the Marinera oil tanker, which is being pursued by the US and NATO militaries in the international waters of the North Atlantic. The diplomats stressed that the tanker was flying the Russian Federation's national flag in full compliance with international maritime law.

On December 21, 2025, Bloomberg reported that the United States had intercepted another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. It was clarified that we are talking about the Bella 1 tanker under the Panamanian flag, which was under US sanctions and was heading to Venezuela. Later it became known that the owner of the vessel is the Istanbul-based Louis Marine Shipholding Enterprises S.A.

On December 22, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced the US intention to keep the oil from intercepted Venezuelan tankers.

On December 23, Reuters reported on a possible attempt by the US Coast Guard to intercept the Bella 1 oil tanker after reinforcements arrive. It was noted that the tanker's crew had so far refused to allow Coast Guard personnel on board.

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