US tries again to seize oil tanker linked to Venezuela

According to Isna, an American official told Reuters today that the United States is trying to seize the Marinera oil tanker after more than two weeks of pursuit across the Atlantic Ocean.

The seizure, which could escalate tensions with Russia, comes after the tanker, originally known as the Bella-1, passed a US-sanctioned maritime “blockade” of tankers and thwarted attempts by the US Coast Guard to board it.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the operation was being carried out by the US Coast Guard and the US military.

This tanker had previously been unable to dock in Venezuela and load its oil cargo.

Although the tanker was empty, the US Coast Guard pursued the vessel into the Atlantic Ocean as part of its efforts to stop a fleet of oil tankers.

As the US Coast Guard continued to pursue the tanker, the crew painted a Russian flag on its side and changed its name and registration to Marinera.

Russia had asked the United States to stop pursuing the oil tanker near Venezuela, three US officials said.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia sent a submarine to escort the tanker.

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