The US seizes a second oil tanker, this time in the Caribbean
The US Southern Command confirmed that the M/T Sophia oil tanker has been seized in the Caribbean, after the US military announced it had seized a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic on Wednesday. (Credit: US Southern Command)
US forces seized two sanctioned tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday.
First, the US European Command (EUCOM) announced the seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic Sea.
“The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar, today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violation of US sanctions,” read a message from EUCOM on
“This seizure supports the @POTUS proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere,” EUCOM added. “The operation was conducted by DHS components with support from @DeptofWar, and demonstrated a whole-of-government approach to protecting the homeland.”
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The Coast Guard has seized an oil tanker in the North Atlantic Ocean believed to be linked to Venezuela (US European Command)
The development comes after the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Russia had sent a submarine and other naval assets to escort the tanker.
The ship had spent more than two weeks trying to evade U.S. enforcement efforts targeting sanctioned oil shipments near Venezuela, the shipping company said.
“The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in full force – everywhere in the world,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said after the tanker was seized.
President Donald Trump announced in mid-December a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
The Department of Justice and DHS have confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard has seized an oil tanker in the North Atlantic Ocean with alleged ties to Venezuela. (US European Command)
Later Wednesday morning, US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced the separate seizure of another oil tanker, the M/T Sophia, in the Caribbean.
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“In a pre-dawn action, the Department of War, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended a stateless, sanctioned Dark Fleet motor tanker without incident,” SOUTHCOM said.
The US Southern Command confirms that US forces have seized a second oil tanker in the Caribbean (US Southern Command)
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It added that the banned vessel was conducting “illegal activities” in the Caribbean and is being escorted to the United States by the US Coast Guard for “final disposition.”
“Through Operation Southern Spear, the War Department is steadfast in its mission to suppress illegal activity in the Western Hemisphere. We will defend our homeland and restore security and strength across America,” SOUTHCOM said.
The US Coast Guard had been watching the ship for weeks. Russia had previously said it would escort it to the port with warships and a submarine. The sanctioned tanker was recently renamed a Russian ship.
The Justice Department issued a warrant to seize the ship over sanctions violations for transporting oil on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which the State Department has classified as a foreign terrorist organization.
The coast guard had tried to board the ship in the Caribbean last month as it headed to Venezuela. Then she turned and headed for the North Atlantic.
American troops arrived before the Russians did.
