{"id":16611,"date":"2026-01-08T05:52:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T05:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roydadnaft.ir\/English\/?p=16611"},"modified":"2026-01-08T05:52:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T05:52:00","slug":"us-seizes-russian-flagged-tanker-and-another-venezuela-linked-vessel-as-trump-escalates-control-over-venezuelan-oil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roydadnaft.ir\/English\/16611\/","title":{"rendered":"US Seizes Russian-Flagged Tanker and Another Venezuela-Linked Vessel as Trump Escalates Control Over Venezuelan Oil"},"content":{"rendered":"

RoydadNaft – <\/a><\/span>\u00a0U.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\u2019s government into alignment with U.S. interests.<\/p>\n

The moves come days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro in a daring raid on Caracas, escalating a blockade on sanctioned vessels traveling to or from the OPEC nation.<\/p>\n

The White House also announced plans to ease some of the oil sanctions imposed by Trump during his first term in 2019.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The operation unfolded near Russian naval assets, including a submarine, heightening tensions with Moscow\u2014which 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a phony Russian tanker,\u201d Vice President JD Vance said on Fox News. \u201cThey were just pretending to fly Russia\u2019s flag to dodge our sanctions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier Wednesday, the Coast Guard also intercepted the Panama-flagged M Sophia, loaded with Venezuelan crude, off South America\u2019s northeast coast\u2014the fourth such seizure in recent weeks, per PDVSA records.<\/p>\n

Targeting the \u2018Shadow Fleet\u2019<\/p>\n

Both vessels are part of a \u201cshadow fleet\u201d used to move sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, U.S. officials say.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly maritime energy transport compliant with U.S. law and national security will be permitted,\u201d said Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s tremendous economic opportunity in Venezuela\u2019s energy sector through legitimate channels we establish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the Marinera\u2019s crew resisted orders and now faces criminal charges.<\/p>\n

China Condemns \u2018Bullying\u2019<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe U.S.\u2018s blatant use of force and \u2018America First\u2019 demands on Venezuela\u2019s own resources are classic bullying,\u201d said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.<\/p>\n

Trump has been vocal about harnessing Venezuela\u2019s massive reserves alongside U.S. firms, following Maduro\u2019s arrest on drug-trafficking charges\u2014which he portrays as ties to adversaries.<\/p>\n

Venezuela\u2019s interim leader, Acting President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, is navigating criticism of Maduro\u2019s \u201ckidnapping\u201d while exploring U.S. cooperation amid threats of further action.<\/p>\n

Vice President Vance told Fox News the U.S. will leverage energy resources for control: \u201cWe hold the keys to their oil sales\u2014only if it serves America\u2019s interests.\u201d<\/p>\n

Plans to Market Venezuelan Oil<\/p>\n

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\u2019s vast reserves.<\/p>\n

To facilitate this, the administration is \u201cselectively lifting sanctions,\u201d said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.<\/p>\n

Rodr\u00edguez indicated openness: \u201cVenezuela welcomes mutually beneficial energy ties.\u201d<\/p>\n

PDVSA confirmed ongoing commercial talks with the U.S., emphasizing legal and transparent terms.<\/p>\n

However, U.S. oil companies remain cautious about investing amid policy uncertainty, seeking strong guarantees, per the Financial Times.<\/p>\n

Oil prices declined globally on expectations of greater supply from Trump\u2019s initiative.<\/p>\n

China, Russia, and Venezuela\u2019s leftist allies have condemned the Maduro raid, which reportedly caused dozens of deaths.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Updated on