The United States has seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela, marking a significant enforcement of sanctions in the North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. The U.S. European Command announced on Wednesday that the merchant vessel Bella 1 was taken for “violations of U.S. sanctions.” This operation follows a pursuit of the tanker that began last month after it attempted to evade a blockade on sanctioned oil vessels associated with Venezuela.
In a related development, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed the seizure of the tanker Sophia in the Caribbean. Both vessels are believed to have been “either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it,” according to Noem. These ships are part of a larger network, often referred to as a “ghost fleet,” which transports oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, circumventing Western sanctions primarily to customers in Asia.
The timing of these seizures coincides with the Trump administration’s decision to selectively ease sanctions to facilitate the sale of Venezuelan oil on the global market. According to a policy outline released by the Energy Department, sales are set to commence immediately, with estimates ranging from 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil available. The U.S. government stated that these transactions “will continue indefinitely,” with proceeds deposited into U.S.-controlled accounts at “globally recognized banks.” The distribution of funds is intended to benefit both U.S. and Venezuelan populations, at the discretion of the Trump administration.
These actions follow a recent military operation in which U.S. forces conducted a raid in Caracas, capturing former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of collaborating with drug traffickers. Following the raid, officials indicated their intention to continue seizing vessels connected to Venezuela. “We are enforcing American laws with regards to oil sanctions,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a recent appearance on NBC.
The U.S. military took control of the Bella 1 and later transferred it to law enforcement officials. A U.S. official, speaking under anonymity, confirmed that the vessel had been sanctioned in 2024 for reportedly smuggling cargo linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran. The tanker was navigating across the Atlantic towards the Caribbean when it abruptly changed course towards Europe on December 15, shortly after the seizure of another vessel, the Skipper, on December 10.
Records indicate that the Bella 1 was renamed Marinera and flagged to Russia. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Munro tracked the ship under a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court prior to its seizure. At the time of the operation, the vessel’s crew had painted a Russian flag on the hull. Tracking data showed the ship’s position between Scotland and Iceland as it traveled northward. U.S. special operations aircraft, including U-28A and P8 Poseidon planes, were also observed in the vicinity.
Russia responded to the seizure with concern, with its Foreign Ministry stating that it was monitoring the situation closely. The Ministry of Transport affirmed the boarding of the Marinera and emphasized that no state has the right to use force against vessels registered under other jurisdictions, referencing the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In a separate court appearance in New York, Maduro protested his capture and pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges. His legal representatives plan to contest the legality of his detention. “I am here kidnapped since Jan. 3,” Maduro stated in court. “I was captured at my home in Caracas.”
These developments signal a continued effort by the U.S. government to enforce sanctions against Venezuela while navigating complex international maritime laws and geopolitical tensions.
