U.S. Seizures of Venezuela-Linked Oil Tankers Raise Questions About Washington’s Compliance with International and Domestic Law

On January 7, 2026, the United States (U.S.) military boarded and seized an oil tanker sailing under the Russian flag with alleged ties to Venezuela.[2] In 2024, the U.S. government sanctioned the vessel, named the Marinera, due to its alleged connections to the Iranian government and Hezbollah, in addition to Russia and Venezuela.