The oil tanker Marinera (previously known as Bella 1) was seized by U.S. forces in the Atlantic on Wednesday following a pursuit that lasted over two weeks. During this time, the vessel was reportedly under the direct protection of the Russian Navy.
According to sources cited by Reuters, Russia dispatched a submarine along with several warships to escort the tanker.
The ship, which has been linked to networks involved in transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, adopted a Russian name and flag in December. This move came after it evaded an attempted boarding by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Caribbean, near Venezuelan waters.
U.S. officials interpreted this as a "deliberate action to gain immunity under the Russian flag," a common tactic among vessels in the so-called shadow fleet, which exists to dodge international sanctions.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Kremlin had ordered the deployment of a submarine and additional naval resources in the North Atlantic to shield the vessel while it was being tracked by the U.S. Navy and NATO allies.
Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed that it is "closely monitoring the situation" and has officially requested that Washington halt the pursuit.
Argentine journalist Nacho Montes de Oca shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Russian submarine escorted the Marinera "south of Iceland and towards the North Sea," noting that the ship was "traveling empty, without sensitive cargo, now a political symbol of defiance against the U.S. blockade."
Reuters indicated that the U.S. operation to intercept the Marinera is part of a global maritime control campaign led by former President Donald Trump aimed at blocking oil revenues from sanctioned regimes, including Venezuela, Iran, and Russia.
This marks the third interdiction action by the U.S. in the Caribbean and Atlantic waters since December, under the direction of the Southern Command.
European defense sources referenced by The Guardian mentioned that the presence of a Russian nuclear submarine in the area raised alarms within NATO, although the alliance refrained from direct intervention.
The Marinera incident highlights the ongoing economic and energy conflict between Washington, Moscow, and their allies, now extending to maritime arenas where each boarding or flag change could escalate into a global diplomatic incident.
Understanding the Marinera Incident
Why was the Marinera oil tanker seized by the U.S.?
The Marinera was seized by U.S. forces due to its involvement in transporting sanctioned oil from countries like Venezuela and Iran, which are under international sanctions.
What was the significance of the Russian Navy's involvement?
The presence of the Russian Navy, including a submarine, highlights the geopolitical tensions and the strategic importance that Russia places on protecting its interests against U.S. maritime operations.
How does the Marinera incident reflect broader international conflicts?
The incident represents the ongoing economic and energy conflicts between the U.S. and countries like Russia, as actions at sea can lead to significant diplomatic tensions.