WASHINGTON, Jan 7 – The United States has seized two oil tankers connected to Venezuela in the Atlantic Ocean, including one flying under Russia’s flag, in a move aimed at controlling oil flows in the Americas and pressuring Venezuela’s socialist government.
The seizures come after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military operation in Caracas on Saturday. Authorities are now targeting vessels under sanctions that are transporting oil to and from the OPEC member nation. The White House also announced plans to partially roll back sanctions imposed on Venezuelan oil during Donald Trump’s first term in 2019.
A weeks-long pursuit ended Wednesday when the U.S. Coast Guard and military special forces, acting on a judicial seizure order, apprehended the Marinera crude oil tanker, which had previously evaded boarding and switched to a Russian flag. With a Russian submarine reportedly nearby, the move heightened the risk of confrontation with Moscow, which has condemned U.S. actions regarding Venezuela.
“It was a fake Russian oil tanker,” U.S. Vice President JD Vance said. “They tried to disguise it as Russian to evade sanctions.”
Earlier the same day, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted the Panama-flagged M Sophia, fully loaded with Venezuelan crude, near South America’s northeast coast. Both tankers are said to be part of a “shadow fleet” used to move sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
“The only maritime energy transport allowed will be that consistent with American law and national security,” said Stephen Miller, deputy White House chief of staff.
The Marinera crew is facing criminal charges for allegedly ignoring Coast Guard orders, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
China condemned the U.S. actions as “bullying”, noting that Washington is pressuring Venezuela to divert oil intended for Chinese buyers to the United States. Meanwhile, Trump has emphasized controlling Venezuela’s oil reserves to benefit U.S. companies, following Maduro’s detention and federal drug charges in New York.
Venezuelan officials, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, reported that around 100 people died during the U.S. operation. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has expressed willingness to negotiate energy deals with the U.S., while ensuring domestic stability.
The Trump administration is also preparing to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude currently blocked under sanctions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said sanctions would be selectively eased to facilitate the plan, while PDVSA confirmed ongoing commercial negotiations with the U.S.
Global reactions remain tense. China, Russia, and Venezuela’s allies have strongly criticized the U.S., while international partners express concern over the unprecedented capture of a foreign head of state. Crude prices fell as markets anticipate increased oil supplies under the new U.S. plan.
