US Seizes Two Oil Tankers, Including Russian-Flagged Vessel

WISE NEWS PRESS / LONDON, UK

The United States has seized two oil tankers, including one flying a Russian flag, in a high-stakes coordinated operation across the North Atlantic and the Caribbean to enforce the ongoing blockade on Venezuelan oil.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the US Coast Guard (USCG) intercepted the "ghost fleet" vessels Marinera and Sophia in back-to-back operations on Wednesday. The move comes as part of a global pressure campaign following President Donald Trump’s order for a complete naval quarantine on sanctioned tankers linked to the Maduro administration. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on social media that the blockade on illicit Venezuelan oil remains in "full effect" anywhere in the world.

The Pursuit of the Russian-Flagged Marinera

The most dramatic seizure occurred in the North Atlantic between Iceland and the United Kingdom, where the USCG Cutter Munro intercepted the M/V Marinera (formerly known as Bella 1). The vessel had been pursued for over two weeks after evading a US blockade near Venezuela in December. During the chase, the crew reportedly renamed the ship and painted the Russian tricolor on its hull to claim sovereign protection.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed its participation in the operation, describing the tanker as part of a "Russia-Iran sanctions evasion axis." Despite reports that Russia had dispatched a submarine to escort the vessel, US special forces and Coast Guard personnel successfully boarded the ship under a warrant issued by a US federal court.

Second Interception in the Caribbean

Hours after the Marinera was secured, US Southern Command announced the seizure of a second tanker, the M/T Sophia, in international waters near the Caribbean. Officials described the Sophia as a "stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker" that was conducting illicit activities. Like the Marinera, the Sophia is being escorted to the United States for final disposition.

Moscow’s Reaction and the "Shadow Fleet"

The Kremlin expressed "concern" over the seizures, with Russia's Transport Ministry accusing the US of violating maritime law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding freedom of navigation. Moscow has called for the humane treatment and swift return of Russian citizens on board.

Since the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro last week, US authorities have intensified efforts to dismantle the "shadow fleet"—a network of vessels that frequently change flags and names to bypass Western sanctions. BBC Verify reports that since mid-December, at least 19 tankers previously operating under various flags have transitioned to Russian registration in an attempt to secure immunity from US seizure.

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