US Attempts to Seize Russian Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela

Ongoing Military Operation

The United States military is attempting to capture a Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela, following a weeks-long chase, according to sources from American and Russian media.

Two anonymous American officials told Reuters that the operation is being carried out by the Coast Guard and the U.S. military.

Russian state television RT reported that American forces are trying to board the tanker, named Marinera, connected to Venezuela, from a helicopter, and published an image of a helicopter hovering above the vessel. RT cited an anonymous source claiming that a U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat has been pursuing the tanker and attempted to capture it during a storm.

The operation occurred after the Marinera, initially known as Bella-1, managed to evade a maritime blockade imposed by the U.S. on sanctioned vessels, fending off the Coast Guard's attempts to board.

U.S. officials contend that the tanker is part of a so-called