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US Coast Guard Foils Russian Flag Ruse in 18-Day Oil Tanker Chase

KVIA•Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 12:41 PM•CNN Newsource

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AI Summary

The U.S. Coast Guard successfully intercepted the oil tanker Bella 1, which had evaded capture for 18 days by painting a Russian flag on its hull. The vessel, previously sanctioned for illicit oil transport, attempted to disguise itself as the Marinera while heading towards Russian waters. Despite a diplomatic request from Moscow to halt the pursuit, U.S. officials deemed the flag change illegitimate and continued the chase. The operation culminated in a military boarding approximately 190 miles south of Iceland, sending a strong message to other sanctioned vessels about the enforcement of U.S. sanctions against oil trafficking from Venezuela. This incident highlights the U.S. commitment to curtailing illicit oil movements and the challenges posed by ghost fleets operating globally.

Key Details: • The chase lasted 18 days and covered about 4,000 miles. • The boarding occurred 190 miles south of Iceland. • U.S. has seized five sanctioned tankers in the last month. • The Bella 1 was previously sanctioned in 2024 for illicit oil transport.

coast-guard sanctions venezuela russia oil-tanker

People & Organizations

Donald TrumpU.S. Coast GuardVenezuelaNicolás MaduroIcelandPanamáDepartment of Treasury

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