In a major show of force, the United States has captured two tankers linked to Russia, one in the Northern Atlantic and another in the Caribbean, escalating its enforcement of the Venezuela oil blockade.
Dramatic footage shows American special forces boarding the M/V Bella 1 after weeks of tracking the vessel, a maneuver that has sparked sharp reactions from Moscow.
The second ship, the Motor Tanker Sophia, was intercepted off the Caribbean coast on Wednesday morning in a coordinated operation.
Both seizures come as part of an intensified effort to assert control over Venezuelan oil exports and assert U.S. influence in the region.
Russia Calls U.S. Actions Outright Piracy
Russian officials were quick to condemn the seizures.
Andrei Klishas, a member of the upper house of Russia’s parliament, described the operations as “outright piracy.”
The Russian Transport Ministry added that no nation has the right to use force against vessels legally registered in foreign jurisdictions, noting that contact with the Marinera was lost after U.S. forces boarded it at 3 p.m. Moscow time.
Despite warnings, the Trump administration has doubled down.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stern statement emphasizing that the Venezuelan oil blockade is now in full effect and cautioning that no ship can be considered untouchable anywhere in the world.
White House Highlights Private Sector Interest
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed the enthusiasm of private sector executives eager to invest in Venezuelan oil.
She noted that Secretary of Energy Wright has been meeting with key oil executives in Florida and will host them at the White House later this week to discuss opportunities.
“There’s a lot of private sector engagement happening right now,” Leavitt said, praising Secretary Wright’s expertise in energy matters and describing him as “the perfect man for the job.”
U.S. Claims Maximum Leverage Over Venezuela
Leavitt also emphasized that the U.S. now holds “maximum leverage” over Venezuela following what she described as a historic and successful military operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
“The Trump administration is in close communication with interim authorities in Venezuela,” she said.
“We have the leverage to ensure this country no longer sends illegal drugs to the United States.”
Leavitt dismissed reports questioning Vice President JD Vance’s role in the operation, calling them “laughable” and designed to sow discord within the administration.
She also criticized Maduro personally, labeling him an “unserious person” and noting that diplomatic efforts had failed before law enforcement action was authorized.
Rubio Warns of Gradual Change
Senator Marco Rubio cautioned that transforming Venezuela will be a long process.
“This is a process of transition,” he said, noting that the U.S. now has “tremendous control and leverage” over interim authorities but that ultimate change rests with the Venezuelan people.
Rubio also revealed that a deal is imminent to sell between 30 and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil in the global market at fair prices.
“The revenue will be managed to benefit the Venezuelan people and avoid enriching corrupt elements of the previous regime,” he said.
Interim Authorities Request Seized Oil
According to Rubio, Venezuela’s interim government requested that the oil seized from the Caribbean tanker be included in the forthcoming deal.
“They understand cooperation with the United States is the only way to generate revenue without risking economic collapse,” Rubio explained.
Emmanuel Belostrino of analytics firm Kpler confirmed that the Sophia tanker carried roughly two million barrels of crude, valued at about $113 million.
The shipment, known as Merey crude, had been loaded in late December and may have been transferred at sea before interception.
Trump Announces Venezuelan Oil Deal
Donald Trump took to Truth Social to announce a deal that would see the U.S. receive between 30 and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil, potentially worth up to $2 billion.
“This oil will be sold at market price, and the money will be controlled to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States,” he wrote, emphasizing the administration’s oversight.
Trump’s “Doomsday Plane” Deployed Amid Tensions
As tensions rise, Trump’s Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, nicknamed the “Doomsday plane,” flew from Omaha, Nebraska, to Washington, D.C.
The aircraft serves as an airborne command center for top officials during crises, capable of coordinating military operations even under extreme threats.
The deployment underscores the gravity with which the administration views the situation.
What Comes Next
With two vessels seized, high-stakes negotiations underway, and global attention focused on the U.S.-Venezuela-Russia triangle, the coming weeks are likely to be tense.
How the interim Venezuelan authorities manage oil revenue, combined with U.S. enforcement and private sector interest, could reshape the country’s economic and political landscape.
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