US Military Seizes Tankers Linked to Venezuelan Oil Trade

Fri Jan 09 2026 04:03:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant operation, the US has captured two tankers associated with Venezuelan oil, intensifying efforts to curb illicit petroleum exports. This move follows the recent apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and emphasizes ongoing tensions in global oil markets.

The United States has successfully seized two tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports. The operations involved the Russian-flagged Marinera and the M/T Sophia, occurring in the North Atlantic and Caribbean, respectively. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted the continuation of the blockade on illicit Venezuelan oil, while Moscow condemned the actions. This further complicates the geopolitical landscape surrounding Venezuela, which holds substantial oil reserves.

The United States says it has seized two tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports in back-to-back operations in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean.

US forces boarded the Russian-flagged Marinera after a pursuit lasting almost two weeks and as it travelled through the waters between Iceland and Scotland. The British Navy gave logistical support by air and sea.

A second tanker - the M/T Sophia - was accused by the US of conducting illicit activities and boarded in the Caribbean.

The moves come as the US seeks to choke off most exports of Venezuelan crude oil, and just days after its special forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a lighting raid on his residence in Caracas.

In a post on X, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote: The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT - anywhere in the world.

Moscow has denounced the seizure of the tanker sailing under its flag, and demanded that the US treat Russians on board properly and permits them to return to Russia quickly.

The transport ministry said it had given the vessel temporary permission to use the Russian flag, adding that no state had the right to use force against vessels properly registered in other states' jurisdictions.

Reports had suggested that Russia had dispatched a submarine to safeguard the vessel, but it appears that US forces were able to board the tanker without facing any resistance.

The White House described the ship as a Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel deemed stateless after flying a false flag and had a judicial order against it.

The seizure of the two tankers was announced by the US military in separate posts on social media on Wednesday.

The US European Command said the M/V Bella 1 - using the former name of the Marinera - was boarded for violations of US sanctions.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said RAF surveillance aircraft and a naval support vessel, the RFA Tideforce, were among the UK military assets that took part in the operation, following a US request for assistance.

The vessel has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil.

Venezuela's leadership is cooperating with the US on the second tanker seized in the Caribbean, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

China - the biggest buyer of Venezuelan oil in recent years - has condemned the US moves and accused it of threatening global energy security.