WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. European Command said on Wednesday it had seized an oil tanker linked with Venezuela and registered as a Russian vessel in the North Atlantic in an operation.
"The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. 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," said the Command in a post on social media X.
Russian military vessels were in the area as the U.S. operation unfolded, according to media reports.
The seizure of the oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella-1, which has been under the U.S. sanctions targeting Iran, was made after an active pursuit since late December by U.S. forces, according to CBS News and other U.S. media reports.
USCGC (the United States Coast Guard Cutter) Munro mentioned in the Command's post is a Legend-class National Security Cutter designed for long-range, high-end missions. It is one of the largest ships in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet.
The oil tanker was in the Caribbean and apparently headed to Venezuela to load cargo when it was chased by the U.S. Coast Guard about two and a half weeks ago. It then retreated into the Atlantic Ocean.
On Dec. 31, it was listed by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping as a Russian vessel with the new name of Marinera. The ship's crew also painted a Russian flag on the ship's side.
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a "full and total blockade" of all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela last month.
Marinera was the third oil tanker that had been pursued by the U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela. ■