US forces attempting to board sanctioned Russian-flagged oil tanker in North Atlantic, sources say

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U.S.

The news, firstreported by Reuters,comes after The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Russia had sent a submarine and other naval assets to escort the tanker.

The vessel, previously operating under the nameBella 1, has spentmore than two weeks attempting to slip past U.S.enforcement efforts targeting sanctioned oil shipments near Venezuela, the outlet reported.

AS TRUMP SEIZES A SECOND TANKER, VENEZUELA STILL HOLDS THE WORLD’S LARGEST OIL RESERVES

The vessel tanker Bella 1 at Singapore Strait, after U.S.officials say the U.S.Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, in this picture taken from social media on March 18, 2025.(Hakon Rimmereid/via REUTERS )

U.S.Southern Command, which oversees U.S.military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, said on X that it “remains ready to support our U.S.Government agency partners instanding against sanctioned vesselsand actors transiting through this region.”

“Our sea services are vigilant, agile, and postured to track vessels of interest.When the call comes, we will be there,” the post read.

Department of Homeland Security SecretaryKristi Noemsaid in December that the U.S.Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, seized a second oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.

U.S.troops took over a Venezuelan oil tanker on Saturday, Dec.20.(DHS Secretary Kristi Noem via X)

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“The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region,” said Noem.“We will find you, and we will stop you.”

This is a breaking news story;check back for updates.