SRINAGAR: Three Indian nationals were among the crew of the Venezuela-linked oil tanker Marinera seized by the United States on Wednesday during operations in the Caribbean Sea, Russian media reported.
According to RT, the vessel’s crew comprised 17 Ukrainian citizens, six Georgians, three Indians and two Russians. The tanker, earlier known as M/V Bella 1, was detained as part of US action against ships accused of violating sanctions linked to Venezuelan oil exports.
The US European Command said the Marinera was seized in the North Atlantic under a warrant issued by a US federal court after being tracked by the US Coast Guard cutter Munro. US authorities alleged that the vessel had repeatedly attempted to evade interception, including by changing its flag and repainting its name while being pursued.
Officials said the seizure was carried out under a presidential proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that pose a threat to security and stability in the Western Hemisphere.
Soon after, the US Southern Command announced the seizure of another tanker, M/T Sophia, describing it as a sanctioned vessel engaged in illicit activities while operating in international waters in the Caribbean Sea.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem told local media that, both ships were part of a wider “ghost fleet” used to transport oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela in violation of Western sanctions.
