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The Marinera incident is part of broader US efforts to enforce sanctions and disrupt illicit oil trade connected to Venezuela, sparking diplomatic friction with Russia and raising complex questions about maritime jurisdiction
The United States has released three Indian nationals who were among the crew members of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera after it was seized by US forces in the North Atlantic last week, providing a major diplomatic relief for New Delhi.
The Marinera, previously known as Bella 1, was intercepted in international waters following weeks of pursuit by the US Coast Guard and allied forces. Washington accused the vessel of running afoul of American sanctions by transporting oil linked to sanctioned countries, including Venezuela, Russia and Iran. The operation was carried out under a warrant issued by a US federal court and involved coordination between the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department and the Department of Defense.
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Initially, all 28 crew members on board — hailing from various countries such as India, Ukraine, Georgia and Russia — were detained after the seizure
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US authorities had at first indicated that they might pursue legal action against the entire crew. However, following diplomatic interventions, the three Indian seafarers were freed and are now reported to be safe
Among those released is 26-year-old merchant navy officer Rakshit (also spelled Rikshit) Chauhan from the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, who was on his first maritime assignment when the vessel was boarded. Chauhan’s family, who had last spoken to him on the day of the tanker’s interception, had appealed publicly for his safe return, prompting widespread concern across India.
The release of the Indian crew coincided with the formal assumption of office in New Delhi by Sergio Gor as the new United States ambassador to India. Gor emphasised the ongoing cooperation between the two countries on a wide range of strategic and economic issues, reflecting deepening US-India engagement despite global geopolitical tensions.
Russia has strongly criticised the US action, denouncing the seizure as a violation of international maritime law and urging Washington to ensure humane treatment and swift repatriation of the remaining crew. Moscow’s Foreign Ministry also stressed that freedom of navigation in international waters should be upheld and has called for the rights and interests of its nationals on the tanker to be respected.
