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The United States has dramatically seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Marinera, in the North Atlantic. The attempt to escape the American blockade of Venezuela spurred a weeks-long pursuit that resulted in the apprehending of the vessel, previously known as Bella 1. The U.S. announced the capture alongside another tanker, M/T Sophia, as part of efforts to halt illicit oil activities linked to Venezuela.

The capture of the Marinera marks a significant shift in U.S.-Russia relations, particularly in light of Russia's backing for Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. European Command reported that USCGC Munro tracked the tanker and seized it under a federal warrant. This development is a flashpoint following President Trump's efforts to blockade Venezuela's oil trade, aiming to destabilise President Maduro's regime.

Reactions from Moscow were swift, with the Kremlin accusing the U.S. of violating maritime law and calling the action “outright piracy”. Russia's Transport Ministry noted the Marinera was allowed to sail temporarily under the Russian flag and lost communication after U.S. forces boarded it. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the seizures as part of Venezuela's stabilisation efforts.

Looking ahead, the captured tankers add to the tense dynamics between Washington and Moscow. As the ships’ crew may face prosecution in the U.S., the focus remains on holding tight sanction policies. There are calls for humane treatment of those onboard, but the potential impact on oil transactions and further diplomatic tensions with Russia remain uncertain, reported NBC News.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. seized the Marinera and M/T Sophia for violating sanctions.

• Russia accused the U.S. of piracy and violating maritime laws.

• The crew may face prosecution in the U.S. under federal law.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from NBC News 2026-01-08

 

 

It should be abundantly clear to everyone now that Trump's view is "Might is Right", there are no laws that apply to him or America, international or domestic.

Piracy on the high seas.

On 1/8/2026 at 8:47 AM, Chomper Higgot said:

Piracy on the high seas.

If I remember correctly.

That is a hanging offence.

This flagrant act of aggression will not go unpunished!

It should not be forgotten that Russia has far more nuclear warheads than the United States and all other countries in the world.

Backing Russia into a corner might not be a good idea. Murdering the crew like he did in the Caribbean will really kick things off.

Let's hope Putin chooses a way to calm things down. It all seems to be a radical way to distract from the Epstein files.

On 1/8/2026 at 3:41 AM, webfact said:

This development is a flashpoint following President Trump's efforts to blockade Venezuela's oil trade, aiming to destabilise President Maduro's regime.

Reactions from Moscow were swift, with the Kremlin accusing the U.S. of violating maritime law and calling the action “outright piracy”.

Hold on here, for years the media has reported that Trump is a Russian asset, but now he’s undermining his Russian bosses. So which is it and what to believe with these moving unaligned media narratives.

On 1/9/2026 at 9:43 AM, novacova said:

Hold on here, for years the media has reported that Trump is a Russian asset, but now he’s undermining his Russian bosses. So which is it and what to believe with these moving unaligned media narratives.

It is piracy.

On 1/7/2026 at 8:47 PM, Chomper Higgot said:

Piracy on the high seas.

Not at all. The ship was stateless thus illegal.

31 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

It is piracy.

Nope.

3 hours ago, Deerculler said:

If I remember correctly.

That is a hanging offence.

Maritime experts note that you can’t lawfully change a ship’s nationality simply by painting a flag on its hull while underway — there’s a formal legal process required, and if that’s not followed, the flag has no legal effect. 

⚖️ 

Why does this matter legally?

If a ship genuinely has a recognized flag state, that country has jurisdiction and protection over it — and other nations generally cannot seize it on the high seas without consent or specific legal authority.

But if a vessel is effectively stateless (no valid registry), then under international law — including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — any state may board or seize it in international waters to enforce laws against piracy, smuggling, or other illicit acts. 

On 1/7/2026 at 7:22 PM, JBChiangRai said:

It should be abundantly clear to everyone now that Trump's view is "Might is Right", there are no laws that apply to him or America, international or domestic.

Maritime experts note that you can’t lawfully change a ship’s nationality simply by painting a flag on its hull while underway — there’s a formal legal process required, and if that’s not followed, the flag has no legal effect. 

⚖️ 

Why does this matter legally?

If a ship genuinely has a recognized flag state, that country has jurisdiction and protection over it — and other nations generally cannot seize it on the high seas without consent or specific legal authority.

But if a vessel is effectively stateless (no valid registry), then under international law — including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — any state may board or seize it in international waters to enforce laws against piracy, smuggling, or other illicit acts. 

2 hours ago, Hakuna Matata said:

This flagrant act of aggression will not go unpunished!

Sure it will go "unpunished." Who is going to punish the US? For those who haven't noticed, the entire world simply stands-down and allows Trump and crew to conduct aggression. Not one is going to "punish" the US or the Trump Administration. International law is dead because the world made the United States the defacto "Team American - World Police." Well, when the World Police go rogue? Sorry, there is no one left to stop them.

For any one who studies history, look into the aggressive territorial moves made by Nazi Germany before the world finally had enough and decided to fight the Nazi territorial aggression. Invasions of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Lithuania, then Poland which set off WW2. The parallels between Hitler's aggression and Trump's aggression is undeniable.

It amazing how many members here laugh when I say that WW3 is coming, probably this year. Trump and his Neo-Fascist administration openly states that International Laws don't apply to them and it's now the Law of The Jungle - Might Makes Right. And the US will take anything and everything that Trump and his apparatchiks want to take, and they'll do it by force of arms. "Peace Through Strength" has always meant "We will take the resources and territories of all countries of the world - then they'll be 'Peace' on our terms. Follow what we tell you to do and we'll have Peace. If you fail to do as you're told - we will kill you." Simple as that.

It's The Law Of The Jungle Baby!

4 minutes ago, connda said:

Sure it will go "unpunished." Who is going to punish the US? For those who haven't noticed, the entire world simply stands-down and allows Trump and crew to conduct aggression. Not one is going to "punish" the US or the Trump Administration. International law is dead because the world made the United States the defacto "Team American - World Police." Well, when the World Police go rogue? Sorry, there is no one left to stop them.

For any one who studies history, look into the aggressive territorial moves made by Nazi Germany before the world finally had enough and decided to fight the Nazi territorial aggression. Invasions of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Lithuania, then Poland which set off WW2. The parallels between Hitler's aggression and Trump's aggression is undeniable.

It amazing how many members here laugh when I say that WW3 is coming, probably this year. Trump and his Neo-Fascist administration openly states that International Laws don't apply to them and it's now the Law of The Jungle - Might Makes Right. And the US will take anything and everything that Trump and his apparatchiks want to take, and they'll do it by force of arms. "Peace Through Strength" has always meant "We will take the resources and territories of all countries of the world - then they'll be 'Peace' on our terms. Follow what we tell you to do and we'll have Peace. If you fail to do as you're told - we will kill you." Simple as that.

It's The Law Of The Jungle Baby!

If a ship genuinely has a recognized flag state, that country has jurisdiction and protection over it — and other nations generally cannot seize it on the high seas without consent or specific legal authority.

But if a vessel is effectively stateless (no valid registry), then under international law — including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — any state may board or seize it in international waters to enforce laws against piracy, smuggling, or other illicit acts. 

3 hours ago, novacova said:

Hold on here, for years the media has reported that Trump is a Russian asset, but now he’s undermining his Russian bosses. So which is it and what to believe with these moving unaligned media narratives.

You beat me to it.

Trump is a Putin puppet, right?????

What's going on????

...'Going For Broke' Before The Economic Collapse...(?)

...Apparently...History Dictates 'A World War Is Just Around The Corner...(?)

...Clean The Slate...(?)

...Big Money Made All Around...(?)

...All Types Of Assets & Lands Seized...(?)

...Pretty Shameful...(?)

...'The Elite'...(?)

3 hours ago, TedG said:

If a ship genuinely has a recognized flag state, that country has jurisdiction and protection over it — and other nations generally cannot seize it on the high seas without consent or specific legal authority.

But if a vessel is effectively stateless (no valid registry), then under international law — including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — any state may board or seize it in international waters to enforce laws against piracy, smuggling, or other illicit acts. 

The US justifies their action in a 100 different ways. All I see and hear is "blah blah blah" and fabrications. Lying comes so easy to those in government that you can take virtually anything that comes out of the mouths of US politicians and simply assume the reverse is the truth.

3 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

You beat me to it.

Trump is a Putin puppet, right?????

What's going on????

Waiting for Trump to make a statement like he always does boasting his exploits. Is he scared to offend Putin?

57 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Waiting for Trump to make a statement like he always does boasting his exploits. Is he scared to offend Putin?

Are you volunteering?

2 hours ago, SOTIRIOS said:

...'Going For Broke' Before The Economic Collapse...(?)

...Apparently...History Dictates 'A World War Is Just Around The Corner...(?)

...Clean The Slate...(?)

...Big Money Made All Around...(?)

...All Types Of Assets & Lands Seized...(?)

...Pretty Shameful...(?)

...'The Elite'...(?)

Yes.

The only way western countries can wipe away all their debt is WW3. Then, then they will have a clean slate.

3 hours ago, connda said:

The US justifies their action in a 100 different ways. All I see and hear is "blah blah blah" and fabrications. Lying comes so easy to those in government that you can take virtually anything that comes out of the mouths of US politicians and simply assume the reverse is the truth.

Let’s look at the facts. The tanker in question was illegal under international law. Any country had the right to seize it.

Trump is Putin's puppet!!!!

Now, all of the sudden, after ten years of hate, the left is back in love with Russia

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Now, all of the sudden, after ten years of hate, the left is back in love with Russia

It would certainly be nice if they could just stay focused for once and decide on a consistent bias.

10 hours ago, novacova said:

Hold on here, for years the media has reported that Trump is a Russian asset, but now he’s undermining his Russian bosses. So which is it and what to believe with these moving unaligned media narratives.

Most likely just smoke and empty threats im sure putins boy asked permission first……if this was an act against Russia per se he would have indirected Putin’s shadow fleet long ago.

7 hours ago, TedG said:

If a ship genuinely has a recognized flag state, that country has jurisdiction and protection over it — and other nations generally cannot seize it on the high seas without consent or specific legal authority.

But if a vessel is effectively stateless (no valid registry), then under international law — including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — any state may board or seize it in international waters to enforce laws against piracy, smuggling, or other illicit acts. 

These sort of realities don’t apply to the left’s rational whenever a republican is in the executive office.

1 minute ago, Tug said:

Most likely just smoke and empty threats im sure putins boy asked permission first……if this was an act against Russia per se he would have indirected Putin’s shadow fleet long ago.

And where exactly did this imagery story appear from, one must wonder…

7 minutes ago, novacova said:

It would certainly be nice if they could just stay focused for once and decide on a consistent bias.

They are consistent, if Trump is for it, they are against it.