The Bella 1 evaded a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela last month. Follow Newsweek's latest updates.

Russia formally asked the United States to halt pursuit of Venezuelan oil tanker Marinera after the vessel escaped U.S. Coast Guard interception in the Caribbean.

The move raises the stakes over the Trump administration’s attempt to seize the Bella 1, which officials say is part of fleet transporting illicit oil.

U.S. forces on Jan. 7 were attempting to board a Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, according to multiple reports.

The US has begun an operation to seize an oil tanker linked to Venezuela after tracking it across the Atlantic, a source with knowledge of the operation told CNN on Wednesday.

First, the country must kick out China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and sever economic ties, the sources said. Second, Venezuela must agree to partner exclusively with the U.S. on oil production and favor America when selling heavy crude oil,

Two U.S. intelligence officials said Venezuelan officials had discussed placing Soviet-era defense systems and armed military personnel on tankers — disguising them as civilians for defense purposes.

The US is making plans to try to intercept a fleeing oil tanker that Russia has claimed jurisdiction over, according to four people familiar with the matter, setting up a possible confrontation between Washington and the Kremlin over the vessel’s fate.