Washington seizes two oil tankers in Atlantic Ocean; Moscow denounces “piracy”

WASHINGTON, Jan. 07 (YPA) – The United States announced on Wednesday the execution of a “special” maritime operation resulting in the seizure of the oil tankers ‘Bella 1’ and ‘Sophia’ in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, over suspicions of their links to the “shadow fleet” and the transport of Venezuelan oil.

The U.S. Coast Guard carried out two simultaneous operations at dawn today, coordinated with the Departments of Defense and Justice, and with direct support from President Donald Trump.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that the operation aimed to deter “maritime criminals” and cut off funding for “narco-terrorism,” noting that one of the tankers attempted to change its identity and paint during the pursuit.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized that the blockade on Venezuelan oil remains “in effect globally,” asserting that Washington will pursue any energy trade it deems “illicit.”

For its part, Russia was quick to condemn the operation. The Russian Ministry of Transport confirmed that the tanker Bella 1 (formerly Marinera) was sailing legally under the Russian flag. Moscow characterized the U.S. boarding of the vessel as a “blatant violation” of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, warning of serious consequences resulting from the use of force against vessels legally registered to other nations.

YPA