BBC News US carrying out operation to seize Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Atlantic, official say | BBC News

The US is carrying out an operation to seize the Venezuela-linked oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella-1, a US official confirms to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.

This latest US operation to board the Marinera follows an initial attempt to board the tanker last month in the Caribbean when it was believed to be heading towards Venezuela.

The US Coast Guard had a warrant to seize the ship, which was accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It then changed course, changed its name, and re-registered as a Russian vessel. It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil but is reporting to be empty at the moment.

It has since been pursued by US authorities across the North Atlantic, and Russia has reportedly deployed a submarine to help escort it across the ocean.

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