The United States military, in coordination with the Coast Guard, seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker 'Marinera' in the North Atlantic on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This operation was carried out due to the tanker's alleged involvement in violating US sanctions related to Venezuela's oil trade. The vessel, previously known as 'Bella 1', had been under pursuit for weeks after reportedly attempting to evade a US maritime blockade of sanctioned tankers near Venezuela. Reports indicate that the 'Marinera' changed its name and attempted to register under the Russian flag in late December 2025, with crew members reportedly painting a Russian flag on its hull. The US action has been met with strong condemnation from Russia, which labelled the seizure as illegal and a breach of international maritime law, with some officials calling it an act of 'outright piracy'. Moscow has demanded humane and dignified treatment for the crew and their prompt return. The 28-member crew onboard the 'Marinera' includes three Indian nationals, 17 Ukrainians, six Georgians, and two Russians. This incident marks a significant escalation in Washington's efforts to enforce sanctions against Venezuela's 'shadow fleet' and comes amidst broader geopolitical tensions. In a related operation, US forces also confirmed the seizure of a second Panama-flagged tanker, 'M Sophia', in the Caribbean, also linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil activities.