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The United States has announced the seizure of two tankers in what it describes as “back-to-back” operations targeting Venezuelan oil exports. The operations took place in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean.
According to reports, U.S. forces boarded the Russian-flagged Marinera after a nearly two-week pursuit as it navigated the waters between Iceland and Scotland. The British Navy provided logistical support via air and sea assets.
A second tanker, identified as the M/T Sophia, was intercepted in the Caribbean. The U.S. government has accused the vessel of “conducting illicit activities.”
These actions are part of a broader U.S. strategy to curtail Venezuelan crude oil exports. The announcement comes just days after a reported special forces operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on X, “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT – anywhere in the world.”
Moscow has condemned the seizure of the tanker sailing under its flag, asserting the U.S. must ensure the well-being of the Russian crew and facilitate their swift return to Russia.
The Russian transport ministry has stated that the vessel was granted “temporary permission” to fly the Russian flag, arguing that no nation has the authority to use force against vessels properly registered in other jurisdictions.
Initial reports suggested Russia dispatched a submarine to protect the vessel, but U.S. forces reportedly boarded the tanker without resistance.
The White House has characterized the ship as a “Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel deemed stateless after flying a false flag and had a judicial order” against it.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Venezuelan leadership is cooperating with the U.S. regarding the second tanker seized in the Caribbean.
“They understand that the only way they can move oil and generate revenue and not have economic collapse is if they co-operate and work with the United States,” Rubio told reporters.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Venezuela, which possesses the world’s largest oil reserves, “will be turning over” up to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S., valued at approximately $2.8 billion (£2.1 billion).
Rubio, who briefed U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday, stated the U.S. would sell Venezuelan oil “in the marketplace at market rates” and control the disbursement of proceeds “in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people.”
He affirmed the U.S. has a well-defined plan for Venezuela’s future, emphasizing that the administration is “not just winging it.”
Rubio outlined the Trump administration’s plan for Venezuela as consisting of stabilization, recovery, and then transition.
However, discussions surrounding oil were only one aspect of the concerns raised by U.S. lawmakers regarding the escalating conflict.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated lawmakers require answers regarding the potential involvement of U.S. troops and the financial implications of U.S. involvement in Venezuela.
Republicans largely expressed support for the administration’s actions in the region, while some voiced concerns about the extent of congressional oversight.
The Senate is expected to vote next week on a bipartisan war powers resolution, intended to prevent continued military action in Venezuela. War powers resolutions, established after the Vietnam War, limit a president’s authority to engage U.S. armed forces in hostilities without congressional approval.
“If we’re going to have continued engagement in the next phase, I think it has got to be subject to [war powers],” stated Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri argued that if the administration’s actions constitute a law enforcement operation, congressional approval may not be required. However, he added, “if it’s a military operation involving a foreign head of government, even one we don’t recognize officially, that’s a very different situation.”
China, a major purchaser of Venezuelan oil in recent years, has condemned the U.S. actions and accused the U.S. of jeopardizing global energy security.
The U.S. military announced the tanker seizures through separate posts on social media on Wednesday.
U.S. European Command stated the M/V Bella 1, the former name of the Marinera, was boarded “for violations of U.S. sanctions.”
“The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro”, a Coast Guard cutter.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that RAF surveillance aircraft and a naval support vessel, the RFA Tideforce, were among the UK military assets participating in the operation, following a request for assistance from the U.S.
Defence Secretary John Healey stated the action was “in full compliance with international law” and “formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions-busting.”
The vessel is accused of violating U.S. sanctions and transporting Iranian oil.
Images published by Russian state broadcaster RT show a helicopter in proximity to a ship identified as the M/V Bella 1.
The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping indicates the tanker’s name was changed to Marinera and was sailing under the Russian flag. Its home port is listed as Sochi, Russia, on the Black Sea.
The Russian transport ministry reported that U.S. forces boarded the Marinera at approximately 15:00 Moscow time (1200 GMT), after which communications with the vessel were lost.
U.S. officials claim the Marinera falsely flew the flag of Guyana last month, rendering it stateless.
Experts consulted by BBC Verify stated that the U.S. referred to the ship as Bella 1 because a vessel cannot change its flag during a voyage without a transfer of ownership or change of registry.
The experts further noted that under UN international maritime law, a stateless vessel can be boarded by authorities.
Separately, U.S. Southern Command announced on Wednesday that the defense and homeland security departments “apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident.”
“The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea. The US Coast Guard is escorting M/T Sophia to the U.S. for final disposition.”
U.S. Southern Command also released a video depicting a helicopter circling a vessel.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that “in two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously co-ordinated boarding of two ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ships”.
She said both seized vessels “were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it”.
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