The United States seized a tanker ship attempting to evade US forces after departing Venezuelan waters, according to officials. The operation, executed before dawn by Marines and sailors in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, targeted a vessel suspected of carrying embargoed oil, as stated by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The ship, sailing under a false flag and previously sanctioned for involvement in Russian oil shipments, was allegedly trying to breach a US naval blockade in the Caribbean. This seizure follows the earlier seizure of two other tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports in separate operations, including the Russian-flagged Marinera, which was falsely flying the flag of Guyana.
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The United States seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic and another sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, in the Caribbean Sea, citing violations of U.S. sanctions related to Venezuela. The Marinera, formerly known as the Bella 1, had been tracked for weeks after attempting to evade a U.S. blockade and change its flag to Russia. Russia has condemned the seizures as violations of maritime law, while U.S. officials state the actions were part of efforts to stabilize Venezuela. The operation also involved the UK and follows rising tensions between Washington and Moscow.
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On Wednesday, the U.S. seized the oil tanker “The Skipper” off the coast of Venezuela, a 20-year-old vessel sanctioned in 2022 for its alleged role in illicit oil smuggling networks supporting foreign terrorist organizations. The operation, led by the Coast Guard with Navy support, involved special operations forces, helicopters, and a boarding team. The tanker was reportedly used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, according to officials. The Venezuelan government condemned the seizure as an act of international piracy, while the U.S. stated the operation was conducted safely and securely.
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The recent US seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, the largest ever seized according to Trump, signals a potentially more aggressive phase in US operations within the region. This action, amid the presence of over 15,000 US military personnel, raises questions about the justification and future actions, potentially including a naval blockade. The move has also coincided with a spike in oil futures, which could impact the current administration. Ultimately, the biggest unanswered question is what other measures the US president intends to take in Venezuela.
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US Seizes Oil Tanker Off the Coast of Venezuela, and the story begins with a sudden, forceful act: the United States seizing an oil tanker. Now, that alone is a pretty big deal. But when it happens off the coast of Venezuela, a country already entangled in complex international relations and accusations, it immediately raises a lot of questions. One of the first things that comes to mind is the sheer audacity of it. The US, a nation that generally operates under the guise of international law, seems to be employing tactics more akin to those of, well, pirates. It’s a bold move, and it’s understandably causing a stir.… Continue reading
Following Russia’s detention of the Green Admire oil tanker in internationally agreed waters, Estonia will reroute maritime traffic to and from Sillamae entirely through its own territorial waters. The Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged tanker, carrying shale oil, was seized while transiting a previously established route through Russian waters. This action, unprecedented in the region, prompted Estonia to inform NATO allies and underscores Russia’s unpredictable behavior. The new route avoids Russian waters altogether, mitigating future risks to Estonian maritime traffic.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood