U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that the United States has seized the Russian vessel Bella 1 for violating U.S. sanctions against Venezuelan oil. The seizure was announced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
This action is part of ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to enforce sanctions aimed at restricting oil exports from Venezuela. The Bella 1 was reportedly involved in activities that contravene these sanctions.
In related developments, U.S. forces have recently intercepted another oil tanker in Latin American waters, highlighting the ongoing enforcement of sanctions in the region. For more information on this situation, refer to recent developments.
The seizure of the Bella 1 adds to previous reports of U.S. European Command actions against Russian-flagged vessels, reinforcing the United States" stance on sanctions against nations like Venezuela. Further details on the seizure can be found in the article here.
The U.S. government continues to monitor and act against violations of its sanctions policy as part of its broader foreign policy objectives.
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