U.S. special forces seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella-1, in the North Atlantic on Wednesday, citing violations of U.S. sanctions related to Venezuelan oil. The U.S. military's European Command executed the operation after a weeks-long pursuit of the vessel, which had previously evaded a U.S. maritime blockade.

The seizure drew immediate condemnation from Moscow, though specific financial repercussions from Russia were not immediately detailed. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated via social media that the blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil "remains in FULL EFFECT anywhere in the world." The Marinera was intercepted after it navigated through a U.S. maritime blockade intended to prevent the trade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil.

The U.S. has maintained sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector, aiming to pressure the government of Nicolás Maduro. These sanctions prohibit U.S. companies and individuals from engaging in transactions involving Venezuelan oil, effectively limiting Venezuela's access to international oil markets. The sanctions are intended to deprive the Maduro regime of revenue, but have also contributed to a severe economic crisis within Venezuela.

The tanker, identified in shipping records as the Marinera, was located in the Singapore Strait in March 2025. The vessel's ownership and operational details are now under investigation by U.S. authorities to determine the extent of sanctions violations and potential involvement of other entities. The seizure of the Marinera represents a significant escalation in the enforcement of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and those who facilitate its oil trade. The impact on global oil markets remains to be seen, but analysts suggest that further disruptions to Venezuelan oil exports could lead to marginal price increases.