U.S. authorities have taken control of a Russia-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic that had been linked to Venezuela and previously sanctioned by the United States for violating trade and sanctions rules. The vessel, now known as the Marinera and formerly called Bella-1, was intercepted after more than two weeks of pursuit by U.S. Coast Guard and military forces, according to U.S. officials.

The operation was carried out under a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court, citing alleged violations of sanctions related to Venezuelan oil shipments. The tanker had earlier resisted U.S. boarding attempts in Caribbean waters and later sailed north across the Atlantic, changing its name and flag registration in an apparent effort to avoid interception.

U.S. European Command confirmed the seizure and said the action was part of broader enforcement of sanctions targeting shipments of Venezuelan oil. The Coast Guard cutter Munro was involved in tracking the vessel before U.S. forces boarded it at sea.

U.S. authorities have also seized a second tanker in Caribbean waters as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt vessels accused of bypassing sanctions. Russian naval assets were reported nearby during the pursuit, though no direct confrontation occurred.

U.S. officials say the tanker was part of a wider network of ships used to transport oil in ways designed to evade sanctions. Russia has criticized the seizure, maintaining the vessel was operating legally in international waters.

Sources: Al Jazeera, PBS, ABC, Reuters