US Seizes Russian-Flagged Tanker, Escalating Atlantic Tensions with Moscow

• US Coast Guard seized 'Marinera', a Venezuelan-linked oil tanker flying a Russian flag, after a two-week chase in the Atlantic Ocean.
• The seizure, part of tightening sanctions on Venezuela's alleged illegal oil exports, occurred despite the vessel disregarding warnings.
• Another vessel, 'M/T Sophia', identified as stateless and part of a 'dark fleet', was also apprehended in the Caribbean Sea.
• Russia condemned the US actions as illegal, while the US aims to suppress illegal trafficking and sanction circumvention.
• These operations signal increased US maritime surveillance and are expected to impact international energy markets and US-Russia relations.

Why It Matters: US seizures of oil tankers, including one with a Russian flag, escalate tensions with Russia over Venezuelan sanctions.