US seizes two Venezuelan oil tankers in back-to-back operations

The United States has seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela that were subject to US sanctions, carrying out successive operations in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean, officials announced on Wednesday. In a social media post, US European Command said the merchant vessel Bella 1 had been seized for alleged breaches of US sanctions, following a prolonged pursuit after the ship attempted to evade a US blockade of sanctioned oil tankers around Venezuela.

Shortly afterwards, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that US forces had also taken control of the Sophia in the Caribbean. She added that both vessels had either most recently been docked in Venezuela or were en route there when intercepted.

Vessel tracked after defying US boarding attempts

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US officials said the tanker had repeatedly evaded American authorities after slipping through a US maritime blockade targeting sanctioned vessels operating around Venezuela. The Marinera also rebuffed multiple attempts by the US Coast Guard to board it, prompting a prolonged pursuit.

According to American officials, the ship is part of a so-called shadow fleet used to transport oil for countries including Venezuela, Russia, and Iran in defiance of US sanctions. Reports say US forces eventually boarded the tanker from a helicopter, later releasing an image showing the aircraft hovering close to the vessel during the operation. Russian state media, citing an unnamed source, reported that a US Coast Guard ship had been tailing the tanker for weeks and that an earlier seizure attempt had already been made during stormy conditions.

The Marinera has been under US surveillance since last month, coinciding with heightened military activity linked to Washington’s operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of now ousted President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend.

The seizure is believed to be the first time in recent years that US forces have taken control of a Russian-flagged commercial vessel, highlighting the sensitivity of the move. The tanker was first targeted in the Caribbean last month when US authorities suspected it was heading towards Venezuela. At the time, the Coast Guard reportedly held a warrant to seize the ship for allegedly transporting Iranian oil in breach of US sanctions.

After evading that attempt, the vessel altered its route, changed its name, and re-registered under a Russian flag. It had earlier been falsely registered as a Guyanese vessel.

While the tanker has a history of carrying Venezuelan crude, it is currently believed to be empty.

Following its escape from the Caribbean, the Marinera continued across the North Atlantic under close US monitoring. Reports claim Russia deployed a submarine escort to assist the tanker during its transit. Latest tracking data shows the vessel made a sudden turn south and reduced speed to eight knots at approximately 11:26 GMT. It is now positioned about 200 kilometres south of Iceland.

The seizure comes as US President Donald Trump unveiled a plan involving large volumes of Venezuelan oil. Trump said Venezuela’s interim authorities will hand over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States, calling the move beneficial for both countries.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said the oil would be sold at market rates and that he would personally oversee how the proceeds are used. “This oil will be sold at its market price,” Trump wrote, adding that control of the revenue would remain with the US presidency.

He said Energy Secretary Chris Wright had been instructed to carry out the plan immediately, with the oil to be loaded onto storage ships and delivered directly to US ports. “This will be taken immediately,” Trump wrote.

Trump’s comments follow the recent US military operation in Venezuela that led to a leadership change in Caracas. The president has said the United States is now setting the terms on Venezuela’s oil, trade, and security arrangements. Although it Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, it hasn’t been able to utilise it to its full potential due to sanctions, poor management, and underinvestment.

India, once a major buyer of Venezuelan crude, halted imports in 2019 following US sanctions and has since turned to suppliers in the Middle East, Russia, and the United States.

Analysts say diverting Venezuelan oil to the US could significantly alter global crude flows. Heavy Venezuelan crude is particularly suited for US Gulf Coast refineries, which previously depended on supplies from Latin America and Canada. Such a shift could also reduce Venezuelan oil shipments to China, currently its largest buyer under discounted and complex trade arrangements.

Any change in supply dynamics is closely watched in New Delhi, given India’s heavy reliance on imported energy. Trump described the move as both strategic and economic, arguing it would curb criminal networks and bring stability to the region. “This will be taken immediately,” he wrote, closing his message by thanking readers for their attention.