The U.S.seized the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker -- formerly known as the Bella-1 -- which has been linked to Venezuela and was transiting the North Atlantic, according to three sources familiar with the operation.
And it also seized another tanker in the Caribbean, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.The operation for the Marinera was being carried out by the U.S.Coast Guard and other military assets, according to one source.
Russian military vessels were in the area as the situation unfolded. Video released by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shows the Motor Tanker Sophia being apprehended in international waters near the Caribbean, Jan.7, 2026.@Sec_Noem/XIn a post on X, U.S.
European Command confirmed the seizure of the tanker in the North Atlantic."In two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two 'ghost fleet' tanker ships -- one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean," Noem said in a post on X."Both vessels -- the Motor Tanker Bella 1 and the Motor [Tanker] Sophia -- were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it."Video released by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shows the Motor Tanker Sophia being apprehended in international waters near the Caribbean, Jan.
7, 2026.@Sec_Noem/XVenezuela live updates: US moves to seize oil tanker in North Atlantic, sources sayThe U.S.Coast Guard has been tracking the Marinera tanker for the last two weeks after attempting to seize it on Dec.
20 when the empty ship was in the Caribbean and apparently headed to Venezuela.On Dec.31 the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping listed the ship -- with the new name of Marinera -- as a Russian vessel.
The ship's crew also painted a Russian flag on the ship's side.U.S.European Command has confirmed in a post on X, the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera, formally known as the M/V Bella 1 in the North Atlantic, Jan.
7, 2026.U.S.European ...