US authorities have seized two vessels, including the Marinera, linked to Russian and Venezuelan oil operations, as part of a sanctions enforcement effort. The operation, described as “Tom Clancy-esque,” involved a two-week pursuit by the US Coast Guard, culminating in the vessel’s capture in the North Atlantic with support from RAF aircraft. The Marinera, previously reflagged from Guyanese to Russian, was reportedly part of a broader Russian-Iranian attempt to evade sanctions. This action reflects a more assertive US stance against illicit maritime activities, particularly those involving Venezuela.
