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U.S. Southern Command said on Wednesday that the U.S. "apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker" called the Sophia in a "pre-dawn action" in the Caribbean. The vessel, it said, was conducting illicit activities and operating in international waters. Two U.S. officials told CBS News the Sophia was... flying a Cameroonian flag and left Venezuela with oil on board. The U.S. judged it to be in violation of its embargo on Venezuela. The U.S. has full control of the vessel and no U.S. personnel were injured in the operation, the officials said. The U.S. Coast Guard was escorting it to the U.S. "for final disposition," according to U.S. Southern Command. Earlier Wednesday, the U.S. military also intercepted a Russian-flagged tanker that had been evading American forces for weeks, escalating a confrontation with Moscow after the ouster of its ally, President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela.show more

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The U.S. seized a Venezuela-linked sanctioned oil tanker in the North Atlantic and a tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. will control the proceeds from the sale of millions of barrels of oil.

The U.S. seized a Venezuela-linked sanctioned oil tanker in the North Atlantic and a tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. will control the proceeds from the sale of millions of barrels of oil.

CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil

16,314 views • 9 months ago

The U.S. has released two Russians from the tanker Marinera Two Russian sailors have been freed from the Marinera, a tanker previously seized by U.S. forces. Earlier, Trump had promised to secure the release of Russian citizens. In December, U.S. forces captured seven “shadow fleet” oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela for transporting oil in violation of U.S. Treasury sanctions. At least six of these tankers have links to Russia. The Marinera oil tanker raised the Russian flag in the middle of the ocean after U.S. forces began pursuing it.

The U.S. has released two Russians from the tanker Marinera Two Russian sailors have been freed from the Marinera, a tanker previously seized by U.S. forces. Earlier, Trump had promised to secure the release of Russian citizens. In December, U.S. forces captured seven “shadow fleet” oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela for transporting oil in violation of U.S. Treasury sanctions. At least six of these tankers have links to Russia. The Marinera oil tanker raised the Russian flag in the middle of the ocean after U.S. forces began pursuing it.

Visegrád 24

125,101 views • 8 months ago

The U.S. seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela, including the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker that had evaded a U.S. blockade back in December. President Trump has said that the U.S. is in charge of Venezuela. Mary Bruce reports. Read more:

The U.S. seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela, including the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker that had evaded a U.S. blockade back in December. President Trump has said that the U.S. is in charge of Venezuela. Mary Bruce reports. Read more:

ABC News

22,463 views • 9 months ago

The U.S. has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Trump said Wednesday, escalating tensions between the two countries. The president said he assumes the U.S. will keep the oil.

The U.S. has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Trump said Wednesday, escalating tensions between the two countries. The president said he assumes the U.S. will keep the oil.

CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil

12,711 views • 10 months ago

The U.S. conducted airstrikes in Venezuela overnight, targeting military bases and at least one port. President Trump said, in a post on Truth Social, that Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country. U.S. officials told CBS News that Maduro was captured by the U.S. military’s elite Delta Force. The president added that the operation was carried out with the help of U.S. law enforcement. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of being aligned with drug cartels and gangs designated by the U.S. as terrorist organizations.

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CBS Saturday Morning

21,313 views • 9 months ago

The U.S. seized a second vessel off the coast of Venezuela, authorities announced on Saturday, with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem sharing a video of the seizure in a social media post. The video shows helicopters surrounding the vessel days after President Trump announced a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. "In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela," Noem wrote in the post. "The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region. We will find you, and we will stop you." A U.S. official confirmed to CBS News that the interdiction of a sanctioned vessel off Venezuela followed a similar playbook as the earlier U.S. seizure of an oil tanker near Venezuela, suggesting this is not an isolated action but part of a broader, ongoing enforcement campaign. Head to the linked article for more information. #news #venezuela

The U.S. seized a second vessel off the coast of Venezuela, authorities announced on Saturday, with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem sharing a video of the seizure in a social media post. The video shows helicopters surrounding the vessel days after President Trump announced a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. "In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela," Noem wrote in the post. "The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region. We will find you, and we will stop you." A U.S. official confirmed to CBS News that the interdiction of a sanctioned vessel off Venezuela followed a similar playbook as the earlier U.S. seizure of an oil tanker near Venezuela, suggesting this is not an isolated action but part of a broader, ongoing enforcement campaign. Head to the linked article for more information. #news #venezuela

CBS News

34,204 views • 9 months ago

NEW: The U.S. Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned Iranian-linked oil tanker Bella 1 in international waters near Venezuela. The vessel, which was en route to load oil and empty at the time, refused to submit to boarding and continued sailing, prompting the ongoing chase. “The United States Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion,” a U.S. official said in a statement to Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson. “It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.”

NEW: The U.S. Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned Iranian-linked oil tanker Bella 1 in international waters near Venezuela. The vessel, which was en route to load oil and empty at the time, refused to submit to boarding and continued sailing, prompting the ongoing chase. “The United States Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion,” a U.S. official said in a statement to Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson. “It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.”

RedWave Press

941,576 views • 9 months ago

NEW; U.S. Seizes CHINESE -owned Tanker off VENEZUELA coast!! U.S. Coast Guard interdicted and seized a Panama-flagged oil tanker named Centuries off the coast of Venezuela in international waters. This is the most recent seizure, following an earlier one on December 10 involving the tanker Skipper. Industry sources indicate that the cargo on the Centuries belongs to an established China-based oil trader with a history of importing Venezuelan crude to Chinese refineries, aligning with descriptions of Chinese ownership or control. The vessel itself is not publicly listed under U.S. sanctions (unlike the prior Skipper), and the operation follows President Trump's announcement of a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers related to Venezuela. This action escalates U.S. enforcement of sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports, much of which goes to China via shadow fleets.

NEW; U.S. Seizes CHINESE -owned Tanker off VENEZUELA coast!! U.S. Coast Guard interdicted and seized a Panama-flagged oil tanker named Centuries off the coast of Venezuela in international waters. This is the most recent seizure, following an earlier one on December 10 involving the tanker Skipper. Industry sources indicate that the cargo on the Centuries belongs to an established China-based oil trader with a history of importing Venezuelan crude to Chinese refineries, aligning with descriptions of Chinese ownership or control. The vessel itself is not publicly listed under U.S. sanctions (unlike the prior Skipper), and the operation follows President Trump's announcement of a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers related to Venezuela. This action escalates U.S. enforcement of sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports, much of which goes to China via shadow fleets.

Global Surveillance

42,750 views • 9 months ago

Russia has dispatched a submarine and several warships to escort a shadow-fleet tanker that the United States attempted to seize off the coast of Venezuela and is now pursuing in the Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal reports. The tanker Bella 1 spent more than two weeks trying to bypass the U.S. blockade on Venezuela but failed to dock and load cargo. In December, the vessel's crew repelled a U.S. attempt to board the ship and then sailed into the Atlantic Ocean. It is now being pursued in international waters by the U.S. Coast Guard. The tanker has since re-registered as Russian, been renamed Marinera, and the crew painted a Russian flag on the hull. According to U.S. sources, Russia then asked Washington to stop pursuing what it now claims is a Russian vessel. On Tuesday, Russia's Foreign Ministry said it was following the situation around the tanker "with concern." The ship is currently sailing about 300 miles south of Iceland toward the North Sea. A Russian submarine and other naval assets are moving in to support it.

Russia has dispatched a submarine and several warships to escort a shadow-fleet tanker that the United States attempted to seize off the coast of Venezuela and is now pursuing in the Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal reports. The tanker Bella 1 spent more than two weeks trying to bypass the U.S. blockade on Venezuela but failed to dock and load cargo. In December, the vessel's crew repelled a U.S. attempt to board the ship and then sailed into the Atlantic Ocean. It is now being pursued in international waters by the U.S. Coast Guard. The tanker has since re-registered as Russian, been renamed Marinera, and the crew painted a Russian flag on the hull. According to U.S. sources, Russia then asked Washington to stop pursuing what it now claims is a Russian vessel. On Tuesday, Russia's Foreign Ministry said it was following the situation around the tanker "with concern." The ship is currently sailing about 300 miles south of Iceland toward the North Sea. A Russian submarine and other naval assets are moving in to support it.

Visegrád 24

829,005 views • 9 months ago

Asked about what would become of the oil on the sanctioned oil tanker seized today by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Southern Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela, President Donal J. Trump said, “Well we keep it I guess.”

Asked about what would become of the oil on the sanctioned oil tanker seized today by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Southern Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela, President Donal J. Trump said, “Well we keep it I guess.”

OSINTdefender

111,056 views • 10 months ago

According to a release from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. forces interdicted the sanctioned tanker, MT Davina, overnight and conducted a right-of-visit boarding in the Indian Ocean. The tanker in question was sanctioned by the U.S. back in 2024 as part of the wider sanctions regime against Iran’s shadow fleet of tankers.

According to a release from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. forces interdicted the sanctioned tanker, MT Davina, overnight and conducted a right-of-visit boarding in the Indian Ocean. The tanker in question was sanctioned by the U.S. back in 2024 as part of the wider sanctions regime against Iran’s shadow fleet of tankers.

OSINTdefender

117,146 views • 4 months ago

🚨BREAKING: Newly released footage shows U.S. forces seizing a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. AG Bondi stated that the vessel was a crude oil tanker transporting oil between Venezuela and Iran, and that it had been sanctioned for its role in an “illicit oil-shipping network” supporting foreign terrorist organizations.

🚨BREAKING: Newly released footage shows U.S. forces seizing a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. AG Bondi stated that the vessel was a crude oil tanker transporting oil between Venezuela and Iran, and that it had been sanctioned for its role in an “illicit oil-shipping network” supporting foreign terrorist organizations.

I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸

28,587 views • 10 months ago

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has just announced and published footage of its seventh boarding and seizure of a sanctioned crude oil tanker, reportedly the Liberian-flagged M/T SAGITTA, this morning in the Caribbean Sea, carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard with support from the Navy and Marine Corps.

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has just announced and published footage of its seventh boarding and seizure of a sanctioned crude oil tanker, reportedly the Liberian-flagged M/T SAGITTA, this morning in the Caribbean Sea, carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard with support from the Navy and Marine Corps.

OSINTdefender

243,658 views • 8 months ago

Through #OpSouthernSpear, the Department of War 🇺🇸 is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with U.S. Coast Guard, Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice. This morning, U.S. military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended Motor Vessel Sagitta without incident. The apprehension of another tanker operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean demonstrates our resolve to ensure that the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully. As the joint force operates in the Western Hemisphere, we reaffirm that the security of the American people is paramount, demonstrating our commitment to safety and stability. These operations are backed by the full power our elite joint force team deployed in the Caribbean. U.S. Navy U.S. Marines

Through #OpSouthernSpear, the Department of War 🇺🇸 is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with U.S. Coast Guard, Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice. This morning, U.S. military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended Motor Vessel Sagitta without incident. The apprehension of another tanker operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean demonstrates our resolve to ensure that the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully. As the joint force operates in the Western Hemisphere, we reaffirm that the security of the American people is paramount, demonstrating our commitment to safety and stability. These operations are backed by the full power our elite joint force team deployed in the Caribbean. U.S. Navy U.S. Marines

U.S. Southern Command

526,828 views • 8 months ago

Advanced capabilities, unwavering resolve: The Jan. 15 apprehension of Motor Tanker Veronica in the Caribbean again exemplified the strength and precision of the Navy-Marine Corps team. The Marines and Sailors of Joint Task Force Southern Spear worked seamlessly with DHS News Feed, U.S. Coast Guard, and other U.S. government agencies to seamlessly interdict another “dark fleet” vessel. U.S. military forces are deployed in the #SOUTHCOM area of responsibility to support #OpSouthernSpear, operations directed by Department of War 🇺🇸, and President Donald J. Trump' priority to protect the homeland. U.S. Navy @NAVSOUS4THLFT U.S. Marines U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South 22nd MEU

Advanced capabilities, unwavering resolve: The Jan. 15 apprehension of Motor Tanker Veronica in the Caribbean again exemplified the strength and precision of the Navy-Marine Corps team. The Marines and Sailors of Joint Task Force Southern Spear worked seamlessly with DHS News Feed, U.S. Coast Guard, and other U.S. government agencies to seamlessly interdict another “dark fleet” vessel. U.S. military forces are deployed in the #SOUTHCOM area of responsibility to support #OpSouthernSpear, operations directed by Department of War 🇺🇸, and President Donald J. Trump' priority to protect the homeland. U.S. Navy @NAVSOUS4THLFT U.S. Marines U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South 22nd MEU

U.S. Southern Command

152,276 views • 9 months ago

BREAKING: U.S. Southern Command releases a video showing a pre-dawn operation led by Marines and Sailors from ‘Joint Task Force Southern Spear’ seizing an oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea. The tanker is accused of being part of a ‘shadow fleet’ of ships trying to evade U.S. sanctions.

BREAKING: U.S. Southern Command releases a video showing a pre-dawn operation led by Marines and Sailors from ‘Joint Task Force Southern Spear’ seizing an oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea. The tanker is accused of being part of a ‘shadow fleet’ of ships trying to evade U.S. sanctions.

Fox News

179,820 views • 9 months ago

The U.S. Military carried out an airstrike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America, according to U.S. officials. It destroyed the vessel and killed two “narco-terrorists” on board. Click here for more:

The U.S. Military carried out an airstrike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America, according to U.S. officials. It destroyed the vessel and killed two “narco-terrorists” on board. Click here for more:

One America News

41,020 views • 11 months ago

Marco Rubio touted the "tremendous leverage and control" the U.S. now exerts over Venezuela's oil industry and suggested Venezuela wants the oil captured in the Caribbean Wednesday by U.S. forces to be a part of its export deal with the administration.

Marco Rubio touted the "tremendous leverage and control" the U.S. now exerts over Venezuela's oil industry and suggested Venezuela wants the oil captured in the Caribbean Wednesday by U.S. forces to be a part of its export deal with the administration.

ABC News

31,122 views • 9 months ago