U.S. Seizes Two More Oil Tankers Linked to Venezuela

The U.S. has captured two oil tankers associated with Venezuela in operations in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared information about the seizures on XPost early Wednesday.

“In two pre-dawn operations today, the Coast Guard executed well-coordinated boardings of two ‘Ghost Fleet’ tanker vessels—one in the North Atlantic and the other in international waters near the Caribbean Sea. Both ships, the Motor Tanker Vela I and Motor Tanker Sofia, had either just come from Venezuela or were heading there,” Noem disclosed.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) tactical team, with support from the Army, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State, “successfully conducted two safe boardings within hours,” she noted.

Noem mentioned that the Bella 1 had been trying to evade capture for weeks, even changing its flag and altering its name in a bid to escape. “In a desperate attempt to evade justice, it has failed,” she said.

The USCGC Munro had been monitoring the vessel for several weeks.

“The courageous crew of the USCGC Munro followed our ship across international waters and through perilous storms. Their vigilance and patriotism make every American proud,” Noem stated.

“Criminals worldwide are now on notice. You can run, but you can’t hide. We are committed to protecting the American people and disrupting narcoterrorism financing wherever we see it,” she emphasized.

Noem also shared footage of the Sofia interception, which U.S. Southern Command reported was conducted “without incident.”

The M/T Sofia was reportedly operating in international waters while engaging in unlawful activities in the Caribbean Sea, the Southern Command noted. “The U.S. Coast Guard is escorting the M/T Sofia to the United States for final disposal,” they added.

European Command indicated that the Vera 1 was seized “under a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court” for breaching U.S. sanctions.

“The United States continues its blockade against all Dark Fleet vessels unlawfully transporting Venezuelan oil to support illegal activities that exploit the Venezuelan people. Only legitimate energy commerce, as recognized by the U.S., will be allowed,” said Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth.

The U.S. has been monitoring the Vera 1 since last month, as it attempted to bypass a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, a measure ordered by President Trump on December 16.

Records show that Vera 1 was renamed Marinera and registered under Russia, according to an unnamed U.S. official. The tanker was alleged to display a Russian flag.

Vera 1 was sanctioned in 2024 for supposedly smuggling cargo to a business connected to the terrorist group Hezbollah. Attempted boardings in December were thwarted as the ship refused to cooperate.

These interceptions followed the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Syria Flores. Officials from the Trump administration indicated that they would continue to target vessels associated with Maduro after previous oil infrastructure was seized during his predecessor’s term.

“We uphold American law regarding oil sanctions,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked. “We pursue legal action, secure warrants, and seize vessels carrying oil. This will persist,” he added.

These incidents mark the third and fourth tankers seized by the U.S. in a few months, following the Skipper and Century.