US seizes Russian-flagged tanker in Atlantic, Venezuela-linked oil ship in Caribbean; Moscow slams 'use of force'

This undated handout photo released on January 7, 2026, by the US European Command's X account shows what US European Command says is the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 oil tanker in the northern Atlantic Ocean. (Photo by HANDOUT / US European Command / AFP)

US forces seized two sanctioned vessels: a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic and the stateless M/T Sophia in the Caribbean. The actions follow US extraction of Venezuela’s Maduro and Trump’s announcement of US control over Venezuelan oil exports.

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American forces conducted dual seizures of sanctioned vessels on Wednesday, capturing a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic and a second ship in the Caribbean Sea, according to US military commands overseeing the operations.

The first vessel, sailing under Russian registration in the North Atlantic, was taken following pursuit from Venezuelan coastal waters. A federal court warrant authorized the seizure, US European Command confirmed through a statement posted on the social media platform X.

The second interdiction targeted the M/T Sophia, described as a stateless motor tanker engaged in prohibited activities within Caribbean international waters. US Southern Command reported personnel apprehended the vessel without confrontation.

In a pre-dawn action this morning, the Department of War, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident.

The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and… pic.twitter.com/JQm9gHprPk — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 7, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared the US blockade on Venezuelan oil now operates globally following the operations, as per an AFP report.

Slamming ths US action, Russian transport ministry said in a statement: "In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in waters on the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered under the jurisdiction of other states."

These maritime actions follow weekend events in Caracas, where US special forces extracted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, transporting them to New York to answer drug-related charges. President Trump subsequently stated American control would extend to Venezuela and its petroleum sector.

The North Atlantic tanker, previously identified as the Bella-1, underwent recent changes including Russian flag registration and renaming to Marinera. Crew members reportedly painted Russian insignia on the hull. Moscow deployed a submarine to escort the unloaded vessel, protesting what its foreign ministry characterized as disproportionate military attention toward a peaceful ship operating distant from American shores.

US sanctions against the tanker date to 2024, based on suspected connections to Iran and Hezbollah. The vessel had successfully evaded boarding attempts near Venezuela the previous month.

President Trump announced Tuesday that Venezuela would transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned crude oil to American ports. At prevailing market rates, the shipment could exceed $2 billion in value, with proceeds designated for presidential oversight.

Details regarding the agreement from Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez, the transfer mechanism, and legal framework remain undisclosed. Rodriguez, who previously served as vice president and energy minister under Maduro, has signaled willingness to cooperate with Washington amid concerns about expanded intervention.

The administration has articulated intentions for American leadership throughout the western hemisphere, with Trump asserting direct authority over the South American nation.

Venezuelan oil

The first seized vessel, formerly known as the Bella-1, switched its registration to Russia, changed its name to the Marinera and the tanker's crew reportedly painted a Russian flag on the tanker.

The tanker had been en route to the South American country but was not carrying cargo before it evaded the US blockade. It has been under US sanctions since 2024 over alleged ties to Iran and Hezbollah.

Trump said Tuesday that Venezuela will hand over tens of millions of barrels of oil to the United States after Maduro was seized.

Trump said 30–50 million barrels of "high‑quality, sanctioned" Venezuelan crude will be shipped to US ports, with the revenue -- perhaps more than $2 billion at current market prices -- placed under his personal control.

It was not clear whether Venezuela's new ruler -- interim president Delcy Rodriguez -- had agreed to hand over the oil, how the plan would work, or what its legal basis would be.

Interim president Rodriguez -- a long-time member of Maduro's inner circle as vice president and energy minister -- has vowed cooperation with the United States amid fears that Trump could persue wider regime change.

Trump has said Washington is now "in charge" of the South American nation and has vowed a new doctrine of US dominance in the western hemisphere.