The tanker was almost detained by the US Coast Guard on December 21, 2025, when it was heading towards Venezuela. Suddenly, however, it turned out that the ship, previously flying the flag of Panama, had a Russian flag painted on one of its sides, which was to indicate that it was under the control and protection of Russia. The unit has been subject to US sanctions since last year for transporting Iranian crude oil. This time it was supposed to go to Venezuela, which in turn is subject to an export embargo by the United States.
After the events of December 21, Russia submitted a formal request to stop pursuing the ship. However, information from CBS News and CNN shows that US forces are still trying to take it over. American media call Marinera (former Bella 1) a “runaway tanker”.
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The Bella 1 tanker changed its name and flag
After the Americans attempted to take over the ship on December 21, 2025, the unit unexpectedly appeared on the official Russian ship register under a new name – Mariner. Russia submitted a formal diplomatic request last month demanding the U.S. stop pursuing the ship. According to CBS News, reporting the Russian status of the ship may complicate the issue of its takeover, and the US action itself may negatively impact the course of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Two officials familiar with the Marinera takeover plans told CBS News that the U.SThe SA would rather capture the ship than sink it and suggested the surgery could be similar to the one performed last month. U.S. Marines and Special Forces, working in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard, then seized the Skipper, a large oil tanker with a Guyanese flag. He was detained after leaving a port in Venezuela. This ship was also sanctioned by the US Treasury for its alleged role in oil smuggling, which helped finance the Iranian Revolutionary Corps and Hezbollah.
See also: Will the US take over more tankers? Up to 30 ships are at risk
According to CNN sources, the US also intends to intercept other sanctioned tankers that have tried to avoid capture in recent days. The White House, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Russian embassy in the U.S. did not respond to questions sent by CNN and CBS News.
