**Excerpt:** The U.S. military has seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela in separate operations in the North Atlantic and Caribbean, citing violations of U.S. sanctions.
Key Points:
– Two oil tankers linked to Venezuela were seized by the U.S. military.
– The operation included the tanker Marinera, previously known as Bella-1, and another unnamed vessel, M/T Sophia.
– The seizures were part of a broader campaign against Venezuelan oil trading amid sanctions.
– U.S. officials stated that the Marinera had attempted to evade capture by changing its flag and name.
– The operations were coordinated by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Southern Command.
Full Article
U.S. Operations
On January 7, 2026, U.S. military officials confirmed the seizure of two oil tankers connected to Venezuela. One operation took place in the North Atlantic involving the Marinera, and the other occurred in the Caribbean with the vessel M/T Sophia.
Marinera Seizure
The Marinera, previously named Bella-1, was seized due to violations of U.S. sanctions. The operation was carried out under a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court. The U.S. European Command reported that the vessel had been under surveillance since December 2025. This seizure follows increased pressure on former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by U.S. forces the previous weekend.
M/T Sophia Details
The M/T Sophia, described as a “stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker,” was intercepted for conducting illicit activities. It was reported to be flying a Cameroonian flag and had left Venezuela with oil onboard. U.S. officials confirmed that the vessel was in violation of the embargo on Venezuelan oil. The U.S. Coast Guard is escorting the Sophia to the United States for further action.
Statements from Officials
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristin Noem described the operations as “back-to-back” and “meticulously coordinated.” She stated that both vessels were last docked in Venezuela or were en route to it. The Marinera has a history of carrying Venezuelan crude oil and had previously been flagged from Panama before sailing under the Russian flag.
Conclusion
The U.S. military continues to target vessels involved in the illicit transport of oil from sanctioned countries. The actions against the Marinera and M/T Sophia are part of ongoing efforts to enforce sanctions against the Venezuelan government and its oil trading partners. Maduro has criticized U.S. actions, claiming they amount to resource plundering under the guise of law enforcement.
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