Amidst tensions with Venezuela, US President Donald John Trump is seemingly planning to engage in a direct confrontation with Russia, as well. Political analysts have opined that the US’ seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic Ocean on January 7, 2026 for allegedly violating sanctions following a dramatic weeks-long chase on the high seas has drawn Russia and the US closer to an armed conflict. The White House has announced that the crew on the tanker – The Bella 1 or Marinera – which had been re-flagged as a Russian vessel, “will be brought to the US for prosecution, if necessary“.

The US European Command (EUCOM) is responsible for the military security in Europe, including significant parts of the North Atlantic. Under the leadership of EUCOM, the tanker was seized in a joint operation by the US Department of Homeland Security and the US Army. In a post on the social media platform X, the EUCOM mentioned that the merchant vessel, Bella 1, was seized in the North Atlantic for “violations of US sanctions“. It added that a US Coast Guard vessel had tracked the ship “pursuant to a warrant issued by a US Federal Court“.

The US has further alleged that Russia, Iran and Venezuela are illegally using approximately a dozen of ships, including The Bella 1 or Marinera, to circumvent Western sanctions. In fact, these ships are part of a ghost fleet belonging to Russia, Iran and Venezuela. Washington DC has claimed that the ghost fleet has been supplying goods and cheap fuel to various countries across the globe, including China, for years. According to the US Coast Guard, The Bella 1, the Russian-flagged oil tanker, belongs to Venezuela. The Coast Guard attempted to intercept the tanker in the Caribbean Sea and also ordered it to drop anchor in December 2025. However, the tanker did not follow the instructions.

The tanker reportedly changed its name from The Bella 1 to Marinera while escaping from the US Coast Guard. Before venturing into the icy Atlantic Ocean, it also changed course towards northern Russia. Then, the US Coast Guard started monitoring the movement of the tanker with the help of Britain. When being chased by the US Coast Guard, the crew of the tanker hoisted the Russian flag, claiming that they were travelling under Russian protection. Moscow also made a formal diplomatic request to Washington DC to stop chasing the tanker.

Following the diplomatic request from Russia, the process of seizing the tanker became complicated. However, the Trump Administration decided to reject Russia’s request and to continue the operation. The US Coast Guard apprehended the vessel after an operation that lasted for more than two weeks across the Atlantic Ocean. The EUCOM has claimed that several Russian warships and a submarine were present in the vicinity of the area near Iceland where the operation was conducted. However, it is unclear how close they were to the site of the operation.

Moscow has already voiced concerns regarding the detention of Marinera, stressing that it is a serious violation of maritime law. President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has called the incident an act of outright piracy. The Russian Transport Ministry has mentioned in a statement: “In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.” “Given incoming information about the presence of Russian citizens among the crew, we demand that the United States ensure humane and dignified treatment, strictly respect their rights and interests, and not impede their speedy return to their homeland,” the ministry was quoted as saying by Russian state news agency TASS.

Although Britain reportedly assisted the US in apprehending Marinera, 10 Downing Street has refused to comment on this issue. The official spokesperson of Prime Minister Sir Keir Rodney Starmer said: “We do not comment on the operational activity by other nations, including third-party use of UK bases.” Asked whether there was any involvement by the British Forces, he stated: “I am not going to comment on speculation.”

Interestingly, the US has claimed that it also seized two tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports in “back-to-back” operations in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean. A second tanker – The M/T Sophia – was accused of “conducting illicit activities” and boarded in the Caribbean. Senior US officials have informed Reuters that they have stepped up efforts to intercept unauthorised vessels from Venezuela. Hence, the US Coast Guard is conducting maritime operations in the high seas.

Political analysts believe that the US has started carrying out maritime operations in order to put Venezuela and its allies under immense diplomatic pressure. A section of analysts is of the opinion that the US has seized the Russian-flagged tanker to demonstrate its power to the Putin Administration, indicating a direct confrontation between the two powers.

Meanwhile,

Boundless Ocean of Politics on Facebook

Boundless Ocean of Politics on Twitter

Boundless Ocean of Politics on Linkedin

Contact us: kousdas@gmail.com

Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das