US Seizes 'Ghost Fleet' Tankers Linked to Venezuelan Oil

The United States has seized two tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports in 'back-to-back' operations in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean. The tankers, Marinera and M/T Sophia, were accused of violating US sanctions and conducting illicit activities. The seizures were carried out with the help of UK forces, who provided logistical support. The US is seeking to choke off most exports of Venezuelan crude oil, and the seizures are part of a broader effort to exert pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government. Russia has denounced the seizure of the Marinera, which was sailing under its flag, and demanded that the US treat the Russian crew properly. The US plans to sell the seized oil and control how the proceeds are dispersed, with the goal of benefiting the Venezuelan people.

The U.S. military has seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. The operation was carried out by Navy SEALs and the U.S. Coast Guard, with the tankers being seized for violating U.S. sanctions. The tankers, Marinera and M/T Sophia, were carrying Venezuelan crude oil and were deemed stateless after flying false flags. The U.S. has been following the tankers since last month, and the operation was part of a pressure campaign on former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Russia has responded to the seizure, claiming that the U.S. had no right to use force against a vessel registered under the Russian flag.

The US has seized two oil tankers, the Bella 1 (renamed Marinera) and the M Sophia, suspected of smuggling oil from Venezuela in defiance of American sanctions. The operation was carried out by American forces, with the Bella 1 being boarded near Iceland after a Russian submarine was sent to protect it. The seizures are linked to the recent abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces, marking an escalation of US intervention in Venezuela. The actions are part of a broader pattern of assertive moves by the US under Donald Trump's leadership, with potential implications for the region, including concerns about the control of the Venezuelan regime and reactions from neighboring countries and other global powers.

The US seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Bella 1, in the Atlantic Ocean on January 7, 2026, following a weeks-long chase. The tanker was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for operating within a 'shadow fleet' of tankers transporting illicit Iranian oil. The US Coast Guard had attempted to seize the vessel previously, but the crew refused to be boarded and made an abrupt turn into the Atlantic. Russia condemned the seizure, calling it '21st-century piracy' and demanding the return of its citizens on board. The US vowed to continue seizing sanctioned oil tankers despite concerns it could escalate tensions with Russia and China.

The US seizure of a Russian-linked oil tanker in the North Atlantic has raised concerns among NATO and Nordic-Baltic governments about the crews of 'dark fleet' vessels. The Marinera, which was operating under deceptive shipping practices, including flying a false flag and violating sanctions, was seized by US forces. Maritime intelligence analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann expressed worry about the status of the Russian crew members and the presence of unauthorized personnel, including armed guards, on sanctioned oil tankers. The incident has highlighted the blurring of commercial and military shipping around the dark fleet, with crews often being multinational. European authorities have begun holding crews accountable for facilitating deceptive shipping practices.

The US military seized two sanctioned oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday. The first tanker, the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker, was seized in the North Atlantic Sea by US forces. The second tanker, the M/T Sophia, was seized in the Caribbean by US Southern Command. The seizures were part of a larger operation to enforce US sanctions on Venezuela and Iran. The Marinera tanker was allegedly linked to Venezuela and had been attempting to evade US enforcement efforts for over two weeks. The US Coast Guard had been tracking the vessel before its seizure.

A Venezuela-linked oil tanker, previously known as Bella 1 and now renamed Marinera, has been tracked by the US Coast Guard and other forces off the coast of Ireland after it attempted to evade capture by painting a Russian flag on its hull and reflagging to Russia. Russia has deployed a submarine and naval assets to escort the tanker to its own waters. The tanker has been under US Treasury sanctions since June 2024 for transporting illicit oil cargoes linked to a Hezbollah-connected company. The US has been pursuing the vessel since December, and Russia had formally asked the US to stop its pursuit on January 1.

The US-sanctioned oil tanker Marinera, previously known as Bella 1, attempted to evade seizure by the US through various means, including spoofing its location, changing its name and flag, and making distress calls. The tanker was eventually seized off the coast of Iceland on January 7, 2026, with the support of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Sky News analysis revealed that the tanker had loaded crude oil at Iran's Kharg Island and had traveled through various regions, including the Suez Canal and the Caribbean. The seizure was part of a larger effort by the US to enforce sanctions on tankers involved in illicit oil trading.

The US aims to control Venezuela's oil sales 'indefinitely' as part of a plan to allow US oil companies to return to the country. President Trump announced that Venezuela's interim government will 'turn over' 30-50 million barrels of 'high quality' oil to the US, worth over $2bn. The oil will be sold at market price, with the generated funds controlled by Trump. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that controlling oil sales is necessary to drive changes in Venezuela. The plan involves easing US sanctions on Venezuelan oil flows and potentially using military force to seize control. US oil companies, including Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and ConocoPhillips, are expected to invest in Venezuela's oil industry.

The US has seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic and Caribbean, with one being re-registered under a Russian flag. The tankers are part of a 'ghost fleet' carrying oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela against Western sanctions. The US had been pursuing one of the tankers, Marinera, for two weeks after it slipped through a 'blockade' around Venezuela. The UK provided 'enabling support' to US forces intercepting the Russian-flagged tanker. Russia's transport ministry called the US raid 'illegal' and accused the US of 'outright piracy'. The seizures are part of President Trump's campaign to pressure Venezuela and follow the capture of Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro.

The US military seized two sanctioned oil tankers on January 7, 2025, in an effort to enforce sanctions on rogue nations like Venezuela and Iran. The tankers, including one that attempted to evade capture by changing its name and flag, were taken control of by the US military and Coast Guard. The action is seen as a demonstration of the Trump administration's commitment to enforcing sanctions, with the author praising Trump's efforts to clamp down on the 'ghost fleet' of tankers that dodge sanctions. The article also highlights Russia's involvement in supporting the sanctioned tankers, with Vladimir Putin dispatching naval assets to chaperone one of the ships. The White House has stated that the crew will be subject to prosecution, and the author hopes that this becomes a new habit for the Trump administration in dealing with Putin.

The Trump administration's efforts to navigate its relationship with Russia are marked by conflicting goals, as it seeks both 'strategic stability' and to assert American power. The recent seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic exemplifies this tension, with the US viewing it as enforcing a blockade on Venezuelan oil exports, while Russia sees it as an affront. The move highlights the contradictions in Trump's approach to Russia, which has both aligned with and challenged Russian interests. Experts argue that Trump's actions have created more problems for Russia than they have solved, exposing Russia's global weaknesses and inability to aid its allies.

The US takeover of Venezuela has put China's massive oil-for-loan debts at risk, with analysts warning that the new government may declare the debts void. China has lent Venezuela tens of billions of dollars, but the new administration may invoke the doctrine of 'odious debt' to repudiate its obligations. While an optimistic scenario involves a US-led recovery helping Venezuela ramp up crude production and exports to aid repayments, analysts believe the new government is more likely to challenge the legitimacy of its debts to China.

Russia has condemned the US seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic, calling it a violation of maritime law and 'outright piracy'. The tanker, Marinera, was boarded by US naval forces near Iceland as part of efforts to block oil exports from Venezuela. Russia is demanding the US ensure humane treatment of the Russian crew members and their swift return home. The incident has escalated tensions between Moscow and Washington, which have plunged to their worst state since the Cold War after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The US action is seen as part of a pressure campaign against Venezuela, which culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3.

Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez has expressed openness to an oil deal with the US Trump administration, despite US Vice-President JD Vance's assertion that the US will 'control' Venezuela's oil resources. The US has seized sanctioned tankers and plans to manage Venezuelan oil sales, sparking concerns over the country's sovereignty. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the US will market Venezuelan crude, and Trump announced a deal worth up to $2bn. US oil companies are pushing for guarantees before investing in Venezuela.