New Delhi: The US military seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic on Wednesday, carrying a crew of 28, including three Indian nationals, Russia Today reported.
Tracked and seized from the Caribbean
According to reports, US forces tracked the tanker from the Caribbean Sea and then seized it in the North Atlantic. US officials said the tanker was seized on suspicion of links to Venezuela.
Crew includes 3 Indians, other international members
According to reports, the ship was chartered by a private businessman and operated under the name Bella 1. Its crew consisted of 28 members, including 17 Ukrainians, six Georgians, three Indians, and two Russian nationals.
Attempt to Evade US Observation
The tanker was evading US “blockade” and attempting to evade boarding attempts by the Coast Guard. Two US officials stated that the operation was carried out jointly by the Coast Guard and the US military.
Russia Calls Operation Piracy
Senior Russian ruling party lawmaker Andrei Klishas described the operation as outright piracy. Russia’s Transport Ministry stated that contact with the Marinera was completely lost after US naval forces boarded it.
US Confirms: Two Venezuela-Linked Tankers Seized
The US confirmed on Wednesday that it had seized two Venezuelan-linked tankers in the North Atlantic and Caribbean. One tanker, *Bella 1*, flew a Russian flag and was renamed *Marinera* to evade the US blockade.
Clarification from US Homeland Security
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated on social media that both ships had either docked in Venezuela for the last time or were headed there. She said the Coast Guard conducted “a careful, alternating boarding of two ‘Ghost Fleet’ tanker vessels.”
Britain also provided support
The UK supported the US in the operation. The British Armed Forces, in response to a request for US assistance, provided pre-planned operational support and basing to intercept the tanker Bella 1 in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap.