U.S. Military Seizes Two Sanctioned Oil Tankers in Atlantic Amid Venezuela Crackdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a decisive display of maritime enforcement, U.S. military forces seized two oil tankers suspected of violating sanctions related to Venezuelan oil exports in a coordinated operation across the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea on January 7, 2026. The first vessel, the Russian-flagged Marinera, was intercepted in the North Atlantic after weeks of evading U.S. enforcement efforts. Shortly thereafter, the stateless M/T Sophia was apprehended in the Caribbean, marking a significant escalation in the U.S. crackdown on illicit oil shipments linked to Venezuela.
The U.S. European Command (EUCOM) confirmed the seizure of the Marinera, which had previously operated under the name Bella 1. The vessel was tracked and boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Munro pursuant to a federal court warrant. EUCOM emphasized that the seizure supports President Donald Trump’s proclamation targeting vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere. “The operation was executed by Department of Homeland Security components with support from the Department of War, showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland,” EUCOM stated on their official X account.
According to reports, the Marinera had spent over two weeks attempting to slip past U.S. enforcement efforts aimed at curtailing sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments. The Wall Street Journal detailed that Russia dispatched a submarine and additional naval assets to escort the tanker, underscoring the geopolitical tensions surrounding the operation. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth remarked, “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world.”
Later on the same day, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced the seizure of the M/T Sophia in the Caribbean. The vessel, described as a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker, was apprehended without incident during a pre-dawn operation coordinated by the Department of War and the Department of Homeland Security. SOUTHCOM reported that the tanker was engaged in illicit activities and is currently being escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard to the United States for final disposition.
This dual seizure aligns with President Trump’s mid-December proclamation instituting a blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The move is part of a broader strategy to enforce U.S. sanctions and pressure the Maduro regime, which has been accused of evading sanctions through covert oil shipments.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have both confirmed the Coast Guard’s role in these interdictions. The U.S. Coast Guard’s vigilance in maritime law enforcement remains a critical component of the effort to uphold international sanctions and maintain regional security. The operation also highlights the collaboration between multiple federal agencies, including the Department of War and DHS, as well as the strategic coordination between EUCOM and SOUTHCOM.
For more information on U.S. military operations and sanctions enforcement, visit the U.S. European Command and U.S. Southern Command official websites. The ongoing blockade and interdiction efforts are part of a comprehensive approach to disrupt illicit oil trade networks and uphold U.S. foreign policy objectives in the Western Hemisphere.
As the situation develops, the U.S. government continues to monitor maritime traffic closely and take decisive action against vessels violating sanctions. These operations send a clear message that attempts to circumvent U.S. sanctions will be met with firm enforcement, reinforcing the United States’ commitment to regional stability and the rule of law.
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