U.S. says crew of seized tanker could face prosecution as Russia protests

The White House has said the crew of a Russian‑flagged oil tanker seized in the North Atlantic could face prosecution in the United States.

The vessel, formerly known as Bella‑1 and now renamed Marinera, was carrying Venezuelan oil in violation of U.S. sanctions.

The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the tanker was tracked and seized under a federal court order after earlier attempts to board it in the Caribbean failed. She said the operation is part of enforcing the embargo on “dark-fleet” vessels transporting Venezuelan oil illegally and that the crew could be brought to the U.S. for trial if necessary.

Leavitt stressed the operation is not expected to escalate tensions with Russia or China, adding: “The president has very good, open relationships with both President Putin and President Xi… but he will enforce U.S. policy that is in the national interest.”

Ukraine welcomed the seizure, calling it evidence of Donald Trump’s “resolute leadership,” while Russia condemned the action as a violation of international law and insisted the rights of Russian citizens on board be respected.

• U.S. seizes Venezuela-linked, Russian-flagged oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit

The tanker had been under U.S. sanctions since 2024 for alleged involvement in sanctions‑evasion oil transport. After attempts to evade a U.S. blockade in the Caribbean, it changed its name to Marinera and re‑flagged itself as Russian while crossing the Atlantic. The ship was intercepted northeast of Iceland with support from surveillance aircraft and U.S. Coast Guard assets.

The seizure is part of a broader U.S. crackdown on what authorities call a “shadow fleet” of vessels carrying oil in breach of sanctions. A second tanker linked to Venezuela was also intercepted near the Caribbean Sea.

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