Washington: The United States has seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela in the Atlantic Ocean, including one sailing under the Russian flag, as President
Donald Trump intensifies efforts to control energy flows in the Americas and pressure Caracas to realign politically. The move marks a sharp escalation in Washington’s strategy toward Venezuela, coming days after a dramatic US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.
US officials said the seizures are part of a broader crackdown on vessels accused of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil. One of the tankers, the Marinera — previously known as Bella-1 — was intercepted after a weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic. The vessel had earlier refused boarding and later switched its registration to Russia’s flag in an apparent attempt to evade sanctions enforcement. The operation involved the US Coast Guard and military special forces and was supported by Britain’s Royal Air Force and a Royal Navy vessel.
