The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera, following a prolonged pursuit in the North Sea and the Atlantic, in an operation involving multiple American agencies. The tanker had been under surveillance for over two weeks and was seized for violations of US sanctions.

The operation was confirmed by the US military’s European Command in a statement posted on social media. According to the statement, the tanker was seized by the Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, and the Defence Department as part of enforcement actions against sanctioned vessels.

The statement said the move was carried out under a presidential proclamation targeting vessels operating in violation of sanctions and threatening regional security, highlighting a coordinated, whole-of-government approach.

‘Ghost fleet’ tankers targeted in coordinated operation

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Coast Guard conducted two pre-dawn boarding operations targeting so-called “ghost fleet” tankers. One operation took place in the North Atlantic, while the other occurred in international waters near the Caribbean.

She said the two vessels involved — Motor Tanker Bella I and Motor Tanker Sophia — had either recently docked in Venezuela or were en route there. She added that the actions were aimed at disrupting funding networks linked to criminal and narco-terror activities.

No Russian vessels nearby during boarding

Media reports said there were no Russian naval vessels in the vicinity when the US Coast Guard boarded Marinera, averting the possibility of a direct confrontation between American and Russian forces. Images released by Russian state media showed a helicopter approaching the tanker during the operation.

The tanker, originally named Bella 1, was sanctioned by the United States in 2024. It was later renamed Marinera and had been travelling from Iran to Venezuela before altering its course and heading back into the Atlantic, reportedly in an attempt to evade US enforcement actions near Venezuelan waters.

Vessel monitored closely before seizure

In the days before the seizure, the tanker was under intense surveillance, with multiple aircraft observed monitoring its movement, including flights operating from US bases in Iceland. British assets were also reported to have participated in the monitoring effort.

This was not the first attempt by US forces to stop the tanker. In December, the crew reportedly repelled a boarding attempt near Venezuelan waters. Following that incident, a Russian flag was painted onto the hull, the vessel was added to Russia’s official shipping registry, and Moscow lodged a formal diplomatic protest demanding that the US halt its pursuit.

A later statement described the operation as a pre-dawn action in which a sanctioned, stateless dark fleet tanker was apprehended without incident by US authorities in coordination with homeland security agencies.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said India is concerned about the recent developments in Venezuela and has urged all parties involved to prioritise the well-being and safety of the Venezuelan people.

Speaking at an event in Luxembourg, Jaishankar said India believes that the crisis should be resolved through dialogue in a manner that serves the interests of the people of Venezuela.

“We are concerned at the developments, but we would really urge all the parties involved to now sit down and sort of come to a position which is in the interest of the well-being and the safety of the people of Venezuela,” he said.

India highlights long-standing ties with Venezuela

The External Affairs Minister underlined that India’s primary concern is that Venezuelans emerge safely and positively from the ongoing crisis. He noted that Venezuela is a country with which India has shared good relations over many years.

“At the end of the day, that is our concern, that we would want Venezuela, the country with whom over many, many years we’ve had very good relations, and its people to come out well from whatever is the direction of events,” Jaishankar added.

Background to the Venezuela crisis

The crisis follows the capture of Venezuela’s deposed president Nicolas Maduro after US forces carried out sudden strikes in Caracas on January 3. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody and flown to the United States.

The US administration has accused Maduro of running drug cartels and engaging in narco-terrorism, allegations he has denied. The former Venezuelan president and his wife are currently lodged in a Brooklyn jail and appeared before a Manhattan court, where Maduro pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges.

Declaring himself as the “president of my country,” Maduro told the court in Spanish that he was innocent. The case is scheduled to be heard next on March 17.

Interim leadership in Venezuela

Following Maduro’s capture, Venezuela’s vice president Delcy Rodriguez has assumed the presidency to address the leadership vacuum, acting on the directions of the country’s top court.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that the United States would purchase between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela at market price, claiming the transaction would benefit both nations.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump said Venezuela’s “Interim Authorities” would sell what he described as “high quality” oil to the US. He added that Energy Secretary Chris Wright had been directed to execute the plan immediately.

According to Trump, the oil would be transported using storage ships and unloaded directly at US ports. He further stated that the funds from the sale would be controlled by him as president but used for the benefit of the people of Venezuela as well as the United States.

White House meeting with oil executives planned

Separately, the White House is preparing to host a meeting at the Oval Office on Friday with senior oil industry executives to discuss Venezuela-related developments. Representatives from major energy companies, including Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips, are expected to attend, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Venezuela holds nearly one-fifth of the world’s proven oil reserves. However, analysts have cautioned that any rapid increase in production could face serious challenges due to ageing infrastructure, low global prices and continued political uncertainty.

Venezuelan leadership rejects US control claims

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez rejected Trump’s assertion that Washington was now “in charge” of the country following the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro.

Speaking on Tuesday, Rodriguez insisted that no foreign power was governing Venezuela. “The government of Venezuela is in charge in our country, and no-one else,” she said, adding that the country would not surrender to external pressure.

Rodriguez, who previously served as vice president under Maduro, has offered mixed signals on cooperation with the US, balancing conciliatory remarks with strong resistance amid pressure from security forces and paramilitary groups.

Military casualties confirmed after US operation

Venezuela’s military confirmed losses for the first time, releasing a list of 23 troops, including five generals, killed during US strikes that preceded Maduro’s capture. Cuba, a close ally of the former Venezuelan leadership, also reported the deaths of 32 Cuban military personnel, many linked to Maduro’s security detail.

The Venezuelan government has not released an official count of civilian casualties. Attorney General Tarek William Saab said “dozens” of civilians and military personnel were killed but did not provide a detailed breakdown.