WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews)— The United States is preparing to intercept a crude oil tanker now flying the Russian flag and formerly involved in Venezuelan and Iranian oil trade, according to U.S. officials, as pressure mounts on Venezuela following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.
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The vessel, known as Marinera and previously called Bella 1, has been pursued by U.S. forces since last month. Officials told CBS News the operation could occur soon and would prioritize seizure over other measures.
The planned interdiction follows similar actions last month, including the seizure of the tanker Skipper by U.S. Marines, special operations forces and Coast Guard personnel after it departed a Venezuelan port.
The Marinera was previously Panama-flagged and sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2024 for involvement in Iranian oil transport. Its recent registration under the Russian flag could complicate U.S.-Russia diplomatic efforts, particularly amid talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Two U.S. intelligence officials said Venezuelan authorities, prior to Maduro’s capture by U.S. special forces over the weekend, discussed arming sanctioned tankers. Options reportedly included placing disguised military personnel aboard and equipping vessels with portable Soviet-era air defense systems to deter seizures.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into U.S. custody during a military operation Saturday and face drug trafficking charges in New York.
The pursuits are part of a broader U.S. campaign targeting vessels in a “shadow fleet” accused of moving sanctioned oil from nations including Venezuela, Iran and Russia.
Trump’s administration rocks. This is exciting.
Nobel Prize winner, Ms Machado has global support to be Venz leader. Her spokesman is David Smolansky, a polished, articulate Yid. Not a thug like Maduro’s crowd who Trump wants in.