Seizure of 'Shadow Fleet' Tankers Marks New US Offensive Against Venezuelan Oil

Fri Jan 09 2026 02:34:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The United States has executed simultaneous operations involving the seizure of two tankers connected to illicit Venezuelan oil exports, amid escalating tensions with Venezuela and a global energy crisis.

In a coordinated effort, US forces seized two tankers connected to Venezuelan oil exports—a Russian-flagged ship in the North Atlantic and a second vessel accused of illicit activities in the Caribbean. This action represents a significant step in the US strategy to disrupt Venezuela's oil export capabilities, with reports indicating cooperation from Venezuelan authorities. The US claims both vessels were involved in breaching sanctions, further intensifying diplomatic tensions with Russia and China.

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 and as it travelled through the waters between Iceland and Scotland. The British Navy gave 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 lighting raid on his residence in Caracas.

In a post on X, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote: The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT - anywhere in the world.

Moscow has denounced the seizure of the tanker sailing under its flag, and demanded that the US treat Russians on board properly and permits them to return to Russia quickly.

The transport ministry said it had given the vessel temporary permission to use the Russian flag, adding that no state had the right to use force against vessels properly registered in other states' jurisdictions.

Reports had suggested that Russia had dispatched a submarine to safeguard the vessel, but it appears that US forces were able to board the tanker without facing any resistance.

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

Venezuela's leadership is co-operating with the US on the second tanker seized in the Caribbean, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump had said that Venezuela - which has the world's largest oil reserves - will be turning over up to 50 million barrels of oil worth some $2.8bn (£2.1bn) to the US.

Rubio said that the US would sell oil that is in Venezuela in the marketplace at market rates and that the US would control how the proceeds were dispersed in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people.

The US Southern Command also posted a video showing a helicopter circling over a vessel. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that the operations were meticulously coordinated.

As the world watches closely, the actions taken by the US and the reactions from global players like Russia and China suggest a potential shift in dynamics concerning Venezuela's oil trade and international relations.