The US government has filed for court warrants to seize dozens more tankers linked to the Venezuelan oil trade, according to four sources familiar with the matter. This development represents Washington's continued effort to consolidate control over oil shipments in and out of Venezuela following significant geopolitical changes in the South American country.

Recent Vessel Seizures and Military Action

The US military and Coast Guard have seized five vessels in recent weeks in international waters. These ships were either carrying Venezuelan oil or had previously transported such cargo as part of their operations.

The seizures were part of Washington's campaign to force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro out of power, which culminated in US forces capturing him on January 3. Since then, the Trump administration has stated its plans to control Venezuela's oil resources indefinitely while seeking to rebuild the country's deteriorated oil industry.

Legal Framework and Court Filings

The US government has filed multiple civil forfeiture actions in district courts, primarily in Washington, DC. These legal actions enable the seizure and confiscation of both oil cargoes and ships involved in the Venezuelan oil trade. The sources, who declined to be identified due to the matter's sensitivity, indicated that dozens of seizure warrants have been filed.

The exact number of seizure warrants filed and how many have been approved remains unclear, as the filings and legal orders are not public documents. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding these actions.

Targeted Vessels and Shadow Fleet Operations

The vessels already intercepted fall into specific categories that have drawn US enforcement attention:

• Ships currently under US sanctions
• Vessels part of the "shadow fleet" of unregulated ships
• Tankers that disguise their origins to move oil from sanctioned producers
• Ships facilitating trade with Iran, Russia, or Venezuela

Many tankers remain at sea carrying Venezuelan crude to China, Venezuela's top oil buyer, or have previously engaged in such transport. The US has imposed sanctions on numerous vessels for facilitating oil trade with Venezuela or Iran.

Enforcement Escalation and Current Status

There has been a pause in US action to seize vessels since Friday, according to the sources, though action could resume against vessels and cargoes not authorized by the US. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated on Friday that the Department of Defense, together with other US agencies, would "hunt down and interdict ALL dark fleet vessels transporting Venezuelan oil at the time and place of our choosing."

The current enforcement represents an escalation from previous seizures of Iranian cargoes between 2020 and 2023. In those earlier cases, US law enforcement confiscated oil cargo but not the vessels themselves, whereas recent actions target both ships and their cargoes.

International Response and Notable Seizures

US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on January 7 that the Department of Justice was "monitoring several other vessels for similar enforcement action." This statement followed the seizure of the Bella-1 tanker, which was empty of cargo and marked the first time in recent memory that the US military seized a Russian-flagged vessel.

Russia's Foreign Ministry described the action as "the illegal use of force" by the US military, adding that the application of US sanctions was "without legal foundation." The incident highlights the international tensions surrounding these enforcement actions, as Russia, like Venezuela, relies on shadow fleet operations to transport sanctioned oil.

The US Government executed coordinated seizures of two sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela in separate operations conducted across the North Atlantic and Caribbean regions, with significant military support from the United Kingdom. The actions represent continued enforcement of US sanctions against vessels connected to the South American nation.

Vessel Seizures and International Coordination

US European Command announced the seizure of merchant vessel Bella 1 for violations of US sanctions through a social media post. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem separately revealed that US forces took control of tanker Sophia in the Caribbean. According to Noem's social media statement, both ships were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to the country.

Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed on Wednesday that UK armed forces provided "pre-planned operational support, including basing" following a US request for assistance. The operation involved a British military vessel supporting US forces and Royal Air Force surveillance support from the air.

Bella 1 Pursuit and Russian Submarine Involvement

The US had been pursuing the Bella 1 since December after it attempted to evade a US blockade on sanctioned oil vessels around Venezuela. The ship was sanctioned by the US under counter-Iran sanctions for allegedly smuggling cargo for a company linked to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. A Russian submarine was shadowing the tanker during the pursuit operation.

When the US Coast Guard attempted to board the vessel in the Caribbean in December as it headed for Venezuela, the ship refused boarding and headed across the Atlantic. During its evasion period, the Bella 1 underwent significant changes to avoid detection, being renamed Marinera and flagged to Russia. US officials confirmed that the ship's crew had painted a Russian flag on the side of the hull.

Military Operations and International Law Compliance

The seizure involved extensive military coordination between US and UK forces. US military planes conducted flyovers of the vessel, while Royal Air Force surveillance planes provided air support. US European Command confirmed that the US Coast Guard cutter Munro tracked the ship ahead of its seizure pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court.

Defence Secretary John Healey described the operation as targeting a vessel "with a nefarious history" linked to Russian and Iranian sanctions evasion networks. He emphasized that the action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting, with all support provided "in full compliance with international law."

Policy Framework and Continued Enforcement

The seizures align with President Trump's proclamation on targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere. The operations come after US military forces conducted operations in Venezuela, with officials in Trump's administration indicating intentions to continue seizing sanctioned vessels.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the enforcement approach, stating that the administration enforces American laws regarding oil sanctions by going to court, obtaining warrants, and seizing boats with oil. Healey noted that the seamlessly executed operation demonstrates how well the US-UK defence relationship works in practice, describing it as "an essential part of our security."