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."

The US Government is reportedly taking steps to gain control of a tanker vessel that has connections to Venezuela, according to sources familiar with the matter. This development represents the latest action in ongoing US efforts related to Venezuelan maritime operations.

Vessel Control Efforts

Sources indicate that US authorities are working to establish control over the tanker, which has been identified as having links to Venezuela. The specific details regarding the vessel's current location, ownership structure, and operational status have not been fully disclosed through official channels.

Background Context

The action involving the Venezuela-linked tanker comes as part of broader US policy measures related to Venezuelan maritime activities. The tanker in question has been identified by sources as having operational or ownership connections to Venezuela, though the exact nature of these links has not been comprehensively detailed in available reports.

Current Status

While sources have confirmed that the US Government is attempting to take control of the vessel, the current status of these efforts and any legal proceedings involved remain unclear. The timeline for completing the control transfer and any potential complications in the process have not been specified by the sources providing this information.