U.S. seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after weekslong pursuit
The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic following a dramatic weekslong chase on the high seas. The operation to seize the sanctioned vessel, which changed its name from the Bella 1 to the Marinera after fleeing the American blockade of Venezuela last month, was carried out early Wednesday. The U.S. also announced the seizure of another sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, which it said was “conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea.” The Kremlin, a strong supporter of deposed President Nicolás Maduro, accused the U.S. of violating maritime law by seizing the Marinera. The









