The United States has seized Bella-1, a Russian-flagged oiltanker with links to Venezuela, after weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic. In an X post on Wednesday, the US European Command said thetanker was seized for violating sanctions. The tanker was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for operatingwithin a “shadow fleet” of tankers transporting illicit oil. But it was not until last month that the US began acat-and-mouse game with the vessel. They had tried to seize the tanker last month when it wasnear Venezuela, but missed after the ship turned around and fled. During the pursuit, a Russian flag later appeared painted onthe ship’s hull, with the crew claiming it was sailing under Russian protection. Shortly thereafter, the vessel appeared on Russia’s officialregister of ships under a new name — the Marinera. Russia then filed a formal diplomatic request last monthdemanding that the US stop pursuing the vessel. The seizure is the latest action in US President DonaldTrump’s pressure campaign against Venezuela. Earlier, the US demanded that Venezuela sever economic tieswith Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran, and partner exclusively with America on oilproduction. With 80,000 barrels as of 2024, Russia holds the world’sseventh-largest oil reserves. By claiming Russian status, the legalities and implicationsof the US seizing Bella-1 could become more complicated.
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