U.S. authorities seized the M/V Bella 1, a Russian-registered oil tanker linked to Venezuela, in a coordinated operation in the North Atlantic this week. The action, announced by U.S. European Command on Wednesday, marks the latest escalation in sanctions enforcement targeting global energy trade networks.
The U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security executed the seizure under a federal court warrant, with support from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro. The vessel had been under U.S. sanctions and was reportedly en route to Venezuela to load cargo when intercepted by personnel in December 2025.
This development underscores Washington’s intensified focus on curbing sanctioned energy shipments amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Analysts suggest the move could further strain U.S. relations with both Russia and Venezuela, while reinforcing the Biden administration’s commitment to economic pressure campaigns.
Maritime tracking data shows the Panamanian-flagged tanker had previously operated in contested shipping lanes, though its exact ownership structure remains unclear. The seizure follows recent expansions of U.S. sanctions targeting third-party entities facilitating trade with sanctioned states.
