US Seizes Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela, 3 Indians on Board

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In a bold move, the US military has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera, in the North Atlantic, citing its alleged links to Venezuela. The vessel, chartered by a private trader and operating under the flag of Guyana, had 28 crew members, including three Indian nationals. According to reports, the tanker, previously known as Bella 1, had been evading a US maritime blockade and rebuffed attempts by the US Coast Guard to board it. The operation, carried out by the Coast Guard and US military, is believed to be the first time the US has seized a Russian-flagged vessel. The seizure comes just days after a US Special Forces operation in Caracas, which resulted in the "capture" of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Russia has condemned the US action, with a senior lawmaker describing it as an act of piracy. The US had confirmed that it had seized two sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean. The UK provided support to the US in the operation, with its Armed Forces providing operational support to US military assets. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem explained the US's actions, stating that both ships were "either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it." She praised the heroic crew of the USCGC Munro for their selfless devotion to duty in pursuing the vessel across the high seas. The seizure of the Marinera is a significant development in the ongoing tensions between the US and Russia, with implications for global maritime security. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this will impact relations between the two nations.