US plans to intercept sanctioned oil tanker Marinera

The United States plans to intercept the sanctioned oil tanker Marinera (formerly known as Bella 1), a vessel historically used to transport Venezuelan crude oil and now sailing under the Russian flag, according to US officials with knowledge of the plans. 

This operation is part of Washington’s maximum pressure campaign following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, Caliber.Az reports, citing CBS News.

Officials note that the US “would rather seize the ship than sink it,” as was done in previous interceptions. CBS News did not clarify what exactly the officials meant in this case, but added that the US forces have pursued Marinera since December. 

On January 5, The New York Times reported that at least 16 oil tankers attempted to evade the U.S. naval blockade by disguising their geographical locations or turning off their transmission beacons. 

US President Donald Trump unilaterally imposed a "total and complete blockade" on already sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers on December 16. 

By Khagan Isayev