RoydadNaft –  U.S. authorities seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, including one operating under a Russian flag, as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to control oil flows in the region and pressure Venezuela’s government into alignment with U.S. interests.

The moves come days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a daring raid on Caracas, escalating a blockade on sanctioned vessels traveling to or from the OPEC nation.

The White House also announced plans to ease some of the oil sanctions imposed by Trump during his first term in 2019.

After a weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic, U.S. Coast Guard and special forces teams, armed with a judicial warrant, boarded the crude oil tanker Marinera (formerly Bella-1). The vessel had evaded boarding attempts last month by switching to a Russian flag, according to officials.

The operation unfolded near Russian naval assets, including a submarine, heightening tensions with Moscow—which has criticized U.S. actions in Venezuela amid its own conflicts with the West over Ukraine. The Kremlin offered no immediate comment, as Russia observed a public holiday.

“It was a phony Russian tanker,” Vice President JD Vance said on Fox News. “They were just pretending to fly Russia’s flag to dodge our sanctions.”

Earlier Wednesday, the Coast Guard also intercepted the Panama-flagged M Sophia, loaded with Venezuelan crude, off South America’s northeast coast—the fourth such seizure in recent weeks, per PDVSA records.

Targeting the ‘Shadow Fleet’

Both vessels are part of a “shadow fleet” used to move sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, U.S. officials say.

“Only maritime energy transport compliant with U.S. law and national security will be permitted,” said Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff.

“There’s tremendous economic opportunity in Venezuela’s energy sector through legitimate channels we establish.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the Marinera’s crew resisted orders and now faces criminal charges.

China Condemns ‘Bullying’

The Trump administration is pushing for an agreement to redirect Venezuelan oil away from top buyer China, securing access to roughly $2 billion in crude.

“The U.S.‘s blatant use of force and ‘America First’ demands on Venezuela’s own resources are classic bullying,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

Trump has been vocal about harnessing Venezuela’s massive reserves alongside U.S. firms, following Maduro’s arrest on drug-trafficking charges—which he portrays as ties to adversaries.

Venezuela’s interim leader, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, is navigating criticism of Maduro’s “kidnapping” while exploring U.S. cooperation amid threats of further action.

Vice President Vance told Fox News the U.S. will leverage energy resources for control: “We hold the keys to their oil sales—only if it serves America’s interests.”

Plans to Market Venezuelan Oil

Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. will refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan crude as an initial step to revive the declining industry, despite the country’s vast reserves.

To facilitate this, the administration is “selectively lifting sanctions,” said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Rodríguez indicated openness: “Venezuela welcomes mutually beneficial energy ties.”

PDVSA confirmed ongoing commercial talks with the U.S., emphasizing legal and transparent terms.

However, U.S. oil companies remain cautious about investing amid policy uncertainty, seeking strong guarantees, per the Financial Times.

Oil prices declined globally on expectations of greater supply from Trump’s initiative.

China, Russia, and Venezuela’s leftist allies have condemned the Maduro raid, which reportedly caused dozens of deaths.

Even U.S. allies express unease over the precedent of detaining a foreign leader, with Trump hinting at similar actions elsewhere to advance American interests.