[UPDATED: Jan. 7, 8:06 pm
, Kyiv time. Updated to include White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s comments.]
The US successfully seized a Venezuela-linked oil tanker sailing under Russia’s flag in the North Atlantic on Wednesday – sparking a heated response from Moscow.
According to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti, Russia’s foreign ministry said that they were “closely monitoring” reports that US troops had boarded the tanker.
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“Considering the incoming information regarding the presence of Russian citizens among the crew, we demand that the American side ensure their humane and dignified treatment, strictly respect their rights and interests, and not impede their speedy return to their homeland,” the Kremlin added – although it is unclear how many Russian nationals are among the crew.
The Marinera, formerly the Bella‑1, had evaded US President Donald Trump’s blockade on Venezuelan oil for more than a fortnight before its seizure. Initially flagged as Guyanese – and beginning its journey in Iran before docking and then setting sail again from Venezuela – Moscow granted the tanker its protection on Dec. 31, after the crew painted a crude Russian flag on its hull while being pursued by the US Coast Guard.
Earlier on Wednesday, sources within the Trump administration told a number of outlets that Moscow had sent a submarine and other naval assets to escort the tanker to safety. The Kremlin has not acknowledged this.
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British involvement
London, despite refusing to comment while the operation was going, confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that its military was involved.
“UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, to US military assets interdicting the Bella 1 in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap following a US request for assistance,” the UK Ministry of Defence said, as per AFP.
A Royal Navy ship also took on a supporting role, as did the Royal Air Force by providing “surveillance support from the air.”
The broader picture
On the same day, the US Coast Guard seized another Venezuela-linked oil tanker – the Sophia – in the Caribbean. Writing on X, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem described the crews of the two tankers as “criminals.”
“You can run, but you can’t hide. We will never relent in our mission to protect the American people and disrupt the funding of narco terrorism wherever we find it, period,” she added.
Her comments echo those of US War Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said that the US “continues to enforce the blockade against all dark fleet vessels illegally transporting Venezuelan oil to finance illicit activity, stealing from the Venezuelan people.”
“Only legitimate and lawful energy commerce – as determined by the US – will be permitted,” he added.
The seizures follow Trump’s shock announcement on Saturday that US troops had entered Venezuela and “captured” Venezuelan President Nicola Maduro from his Caracas palace. A court in New York charged Maduro with drug trafficking offenses on Tuesday.
Three is a crowd
Russian President Vladimir Putin has enjoyed unprecedentedly cordial relations with the US since Trump was re-elected last year – notwithstanding Trump’s frustration with the slow progress of negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
US military action in Venezuela, however, may force the two leaders into conflict. Venezuela was one of Russia’s few close allies in Latin America, and the Kremlin released a statement condemning Maduro’s removal from power last week.
Nor can the success of what the Kremlin refers to as its “special military operation” in Ukraine – soon entering its fifth year – bear comparison with the speed and efficiency of last week’s US strike on Venezuela.
On Wednesday evening, however, the White House said that it had deemed the Marinera “stateless” before US personnel boarded it – perhaps in an attempt to help the Kremlin save face and pour oil on these troubled waters.
“This was a Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel that has transported sanctioned oil. The vessel was deemed stateless after flying a false flag, and it had a judicial seizure order, and that’s why the crew will be subject to prosecution,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, as per AFP.
The New York Times reported on Jan. 1 that Russia had made a formal diplomatic request that the US halt its pursuit of the Marinera, citing two officials speaking on condition of anonymity — a request which, if the report is accurate, the Trump administration would appear to have disregarded.