US Forces Seize Venezuelan-linked Tankers Amid Escalating Tensions

Fri Jan 09 2026 20:43:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a strategic operation, the United States has captured two oil tankers linked to Venezuelan exports, aiming to stem illicit oil activities and enforce sanctions against the Maduro regime.

The US military has successfully seized two tankers associated with Venezuelan oil exports in separate operations. The first tanker, the Marinera, was captured in the North Atlantic following a lengthy pursuit, while the second, M/T Sophia, was intercepted in the Caribbean for allegedly engaging in illicit activities. This action is part of a broader US strategy to disrupt Venezuelan oil sales amidst growing tensions and calls from Washington for the Venezuelan leadership to cooperate.

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 as it travelled through the waters between Iceland and Scotland. The UK Royal 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 lightning raid on his residence in Caracas.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X: 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, demanding that the US treat Russians aboard properly and allow 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 jurisdictions.

Reports suggested that Russia dispatched a submarine to safeguard the vessel, but 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.

Venezuela's leadership is cooperating with the US on the second tanker seized in the Caribbean, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, indicating that they understand cooperation with the US is essential for generating revenue without leading to economic collapse.

President Trump mentioned that Venezuela would be turning over oil valued at $2.8 billion to the US, with plans for controlling the sale of oil extracted in the country in a way that benefits its people.

This strategic move has raised questions among US lawmakers about military involvement and the potential implications of continued US actions in Venezuela, as well as reactions from nations like China, which condemned these operations.