Russia dispatched navy vessels including submarine to protect Bella 1 oil tanker, recently renamed Marinera, from US pursuit across Atlantic Ocean. CBS News confirmed deployment with BBC as US media partner.
The vessel, historically transporting Venezuelan crude oil, currently reports empty cargo. Positioned between Iceland and British Isles, Marinera faces accusations of violating US sanctions through Iranian oil shipments.
US Coast Guard attempted boarding last month in Caribbean under seizure warrant when tanker believed Venezuela-bound. Vessel abruptly altered course toward Europe coinciding with 10 US military transport aircraft plus helicopters arriving region.
Dramatic flag and identity switch
Marinera transferred from Guyanese to Russian flag registry. President Donald Trump ordered comprehensive blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers last month, denounced as “theft” by Caracas government.
Two US officials confirmed to CBS News Tuesday that American forces planned boarding operation, explicitly preferring vessel seizure over sinking. US Southern Command posted readiness to support agency partners against sanctioned vessels transiting region.
Current position and tracking data
BBC Verify monitored Marinera via Marine Traffic AIS ship-tracking platform. Tuesday morning position: North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 300km (186 miles) south of Iceland’s shoreline.
Previous AIS data reveals vessel travelled northward past western UK coast over past 48 hours. Kpler maritime intelligence senior analyst Dimitris Ampatzidis explained US enforcement targets vessel’s permanent IMO number, ownership networks, and sanctions history regardless painted name or flag changes.
Russian diplomatic protest
Russia’s foreign ministry declared: “Our vessel sails international North Atlantic waters under Russian Federation state flag, fully compliant with international maritime law norms.”
Moscow condemns “increased and clearly disproportionate attention” from US and NATO military toward peaceful commercial ship. Russia demands Western nations practice high seas navigation freedom they publicly champion.
Diplomatic and legal nuances
Ampatzidis noted Russian registry creates diplomatic friction but fails to halt US enforcement actions. International law protects flag-state vessels, though sanctions enforcement supersedes registry claims when IMO identity confirms violations.
UK Ministry of Defence declined comment on operational matters. Washington expected to inform London before military actions launched from British territory.
Venezuela crisis context
Tanker standoff emerges days after US special forces captured President Nicolas Maduro and wife from Caracas on weapons/drug trafficking charges. Operation involved airstrikes on capital targets during extraction.
Last month US Marines and special operations seized Guyana-flagged tanker Skipper post-Venezuela departure using similar Coast Guard collaboration model now planned for Marinera.
Source: BBC
Also read: US pursues third Venezuela oil tanker
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