US Military Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tankers in Major Operation

Fri Jan 09 2026 14:18:46 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant move to curb Venezuelan oil exports, the US has seized two tankers linked to the country's crude oil operations, amidst rising tensions and military interventions.

The United States has successfully seized two oil tankers associated with Venezuelan oil exports in coordinated operations in the North Atlantic and Caribbean. One of the vessels, Marinera, was intercepted after a lengthy pursuit while a second tanker, M/T Sophia, was accused of illicit activities. These actions are part of the US's broader strategy to limit Venezuelan oil exports amidst geopolitical tensions and recent interventions targeting the Venezuelan government.

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 provided 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 social media: The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT - anywhere in the world.

Moscow has condemned the seizure of the tanker flying its flag, demanding the US treat Russian nationals aboard properly and expedite their return to Russia.

The Russian transport ministry asserted that they had given the vessel temporary permission to use the Russian flag, emphasizing that no state has the right to employ force against vessels properly registered in other jurisdictions.

Reports indicated that Russia deployed a submarine to guard the vessel but US forces boarded the tanker without resistance.

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

Both tankers were reported to have been last docked in Venezuela or en route to it, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who confirmed the operations were coordinated and meticulously planned.

These developments underline ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela, with international law enforcement efforts intensifying to crack down on Venezuela's oil shipping operations amid a backdrop of escalating geopolitical conflict.