By AFP and Kontur | 2026-01-08

US forces seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic on Wednesday after tracking it from waters near Venezuela, enforcing sanctions and disrupting what officials called a global "shadow fleet" moving illicit oil for sanctioned regimes.

US authorities identified the vessel as the Bella 1, despite its attempt to reflag under Russian registration as the Marinera.

US European Command said the seizure happened "pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted video showing US personnel fast-roping from a helicopter onto a tanker's deck with weapons ready. Officials said the operation followed weeks of monitoring and coordination across multiple commands.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stressed the administration's expansive enforcement authority, posting that the US blockade on Venezuelan oil would apply "anywhere in the world."

The US military said it also seized a second sanctioned tanker in the Caribbean. Noem said both ships "were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it."

Reflagging and sanctions

Bella 1 attempted to rename and reflag itself as Russian while underway, including painting a Russian flag on its hull, and sailed toward Venezuela under the cover of Russian naval assets, which US officials said had begun repositioning in the area ahead of the seizure.

Reflagging during a voyage, particularly to evade enforcement, is commonly associated with so-called "dark fleet" tactics and runs counter to long-standing expectations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which calls for stable and continuous flag registration.

US officials said the vessel operated as part of a sanctions-evasion network designed to undermine international pressure campaigns and move illicit commodities to hostile actors.

"This was a Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel that has transported sanctioned oil. The vessel was deemed stateless after flying a false flag, and it had a judicial seizure order, and that's why the crew will be subject to prosecution," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Russia protested the North Atlantic seizure. Its Transport Ministry said "freedom of navigation applies in waters on the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered under the jurisdiction of other states." The Russian Foreign Ministry demanded proper treatment for Russian crew and their return.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department was investigating members of the Bella 1 vessel for failing to obey Coast Guard orders and "criminal charges will be pursued against all culpable actors."

"The Department of Justice is monitoring several other vessels for similar enforcement action -- anyone on any vessel who fails to obey instructions of the Coast Guard or other federal officials will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Bondi said in a post on X on January 7.

UK support

Britain confirmed it supported the interdiction. The Ministry of Defense said "UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support ... to US military assets interdicting the Bella 1 in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap following a US request for assistance."

A Royal Navy ship "provided support for US forces pursuing and interdicting" the vessel, while the Royal Air Force delivered surveillance.

The ministry said the ship had "turned off its transponders while at sea and sought to reflag while being pursued, indicating its nefarious links to global sanctions evasion."

Officials linked the vessel to "international terrorism and crime including Hezbollah" and called Russia's re-flagging part of "interconnected shadow activity."

Defense minister John Healey said Britain "will continue to step up our action against shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability."

Securing Venezuelan oil flows

In January, the United States moved to place Venezuela's oil sector under oversight following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro.

President Donald Trump said 30 million to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude would ship to US ports.

Proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan crude will go to US-controlled accounts and then "will be dispersed for the benefit of the American people and the Venezuelan people," Leavitt said.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the United States will manage Venezuelan oil exports "indefinitely." The goal is to prevent corrupt diversion of revenue, stabilize markets and ensure funds support legitimate governance and humanitarian priorities, officials said.

In Caracas, commercial life slowly resumed after days of disruption. But US officials emphasized that maritime enforcement now plays a central role in preventing illicit profits from fueling criminal networks.