US Seizes Russia-Flagged Tanker, Intercepts Second Vessel Amid Sanctions Crackdown

• The US seized Russia-flagged tanker Marinera in the Atlantic after a two-week pursuit, linked to Venezuela-sanctioned oil.
• Marinera, originally Bella-1, was reflagged under Russian registry, evading a maritime blockade and rebuffing US Coast Guard efforts.
• In a separate operation, the US intercepted stateless "dark fleet" tanker M/T Sophia in the Caribbean Sea for illicit activities under Operation Southern Spear.
• These seizures escalate Washington's campaign against Venezuela's sanctioned oil shipments, aiming to enforce sanctions against Nicolas Maduro's government.
• The sanctioned oil from Marinera is set to be transferred to the United States, as confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Why It Matters: US intensifies maritime enforcement against sanctioned oil, seizing two tankers linked to Venezuela.