By The South Asia Times

MOSCOW- WASHINGTON - The United States military on Wednesday seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after pursuing it from the Caribbean, in a high-profile enforcement action that has drawn sharp criticism from Moscow and Beijing over alleged violations of international law.

The vessel, now named Marinera and previously known as Bella 1, was intercepted in international waters northwest of Scotland for what US authorities described as “violations of US sanctions.”

The operation was carried out by the US Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security in coordination with the military, according to US European Command.

The command said it seized the vessel in North Atlantic as per US court order.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the seizure was linked to Washington’s efforts to enforce a blockade against “sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil,” signaling a continued push to clamp down on shipping networks accused of helping Caracas bypass US restrictions.

Moscow: “Violation of the Law of the Sea”

Russia’s Transport Ministry confirmed that the Marinera had been taken by US forces, stating that the boarding occurred “in the high seas outside the territorial waters of any state,” after which “contact with the vessel was lost,” according to RT.

The ministry said the tanker had received a temporary permit to fly the Russian flag on December 24, 2025, “in accordance with Russian and international law,” and argued that the US action violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees freedom of navigation in international waters.

“The attack on the vessel came in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the ministry said.

Russia warned the US for concequences over violation of international law

- Beijing Condemns “Unilateral” Sanctions

China also weighed in, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemning the seizure as an “arbitrary” act and criticizing what Beijing called Washington’s “unilateral” sanctions regime.

“The US move seriously violates international law,” Mao said, adding that China opposes actions that “infringe upon the sovereignty and security of other countries.” Beijing reiterated its long-standing position against what it sees as extraterritorial enforcement of domestic sanctions on the high seas.

Rising Tensions at Sea

The incident underscores growing tensions over US efforts to enforce sanctions beyond its territorial waters, particularly against shipping networks linked to Venezuela and other sanctioned states. Critics, however, contend that seizing foreign-flagged vessels in international waters sets a dangerous precedent and risks further militarizing global shipping lanes.

With both Russia and China formally protesting the action, the fate of the Marinera—and its crew—now appears likely to become the latest flashpoint in an increasingly contested maritime domain.