U.S. Coast Guard releases footage of Bella I tanker seizure

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has released new footage showing the seizure of the tanker Bella I in the North Atlantic, after U.S. forces pursued the vessel for roughly two weeks.

The USCG said on Wednesday that the operation was conducted jointly with the U.S. Department of War. “Tactical Coast Guard teams leveraged our powerful maritime law enforcement authorities to secure Bella I through a tightly executed joint operation,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The footage shows the USCGC Munro closing in on the tanker during the pursuit. The video cuts off before U.S. forces are seen boarding the ship.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said earlier that Bella I was one of two vessels seized during a coordinated operation on Wednesday. The second ship, the motor tanker Sophia, was intercepted in international waters near the Caribbean.

“One of these tankers, motor tanker Bella I, has been trying to evade the Coast Guard for weeks, even changing its flag and painting a new name on the hull while being pursued, in a desperate and failed attempt to escape justice,” Noem said.

U.S. officials said Bella I had previously transported Iranian oil and was en route to load Venezuelan oil when U.S. forces first attempted to seize it. After evading that initial interception, the vessel moved into Atlantic waters, repainted its hull, and began operating under the name Marinera while displaying a Russian flag.

Russian assets, including a submarine, were dispatched to escort the ship as it appeared to head toward a Russian port. Early reports indicate the tanker was seized in waters between Iceland and Scotland before those assets arrived.

The seizure is part of a broader maritime enforcement campaign that began on December 10, when the Trump administration increased pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro ahead of the operation that resulted in his capture on Saturday.

U.S. authorities said four vessels have been seized since the campaign began.