Overview
- The oil tanker Marinera, formerly Bella 1, was intercepted in the North Atlantic under a U.S. federal court warrant tied to alleged violations of sanctions linked to Venezuelan crude.
- The vessel was reportedly en route to Russia and carried a multinational crew of 28, including three Indians, 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians and two Russians.
- All crew members are in U.S. custody pending legal and diplomatic proceedings, according to the latest reports from multiple outlets.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs says it is tracking the case and is ascertaining details of the Indian nationals identified on the crew list.
- Local officials in Kangra have contacted the Indian embassy and forwarded documents as MLA Ashish Butail presses for MEA intervention, while families say the last contact from the ship was on January 7.