A recent seizure of a Russian-flagged tanker was met with criticism internationally.
Trump administration officials are defending the seizure of a Russian oil tanker in the North Atlantic on Wednesday, citing concerns ranging from national security to access to oil in Venezuela.
The U.S. Coast Guard boarded the Marinera in the early hours of Wednesday morning, following a two-week pursuit from the Caribbean, where the Russian-flagged vessel reportedly tried to run the US blockade of Venezuela. The vessel was previously known as M/V Bella 1.
The U.S. European Command said the operation was carried out in coordination with the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of War for “violations of U.
