America intensified its crackdown on tankers carrying Venezuelan oil since imposing a blockade last month, capturing two more vessels yesterday and bringing the total count to four.
Among the captured ships, one is the Russian-flagged vessel that the US pursued for more than two weeks.
The vessel, formerly known as Bella 1, allegedly tried to evade the US Coast Guard in the North Atlantic after seeking to dock in Venezuela. Reflagged by Russia on December 24 and renamed Marinera, it was escorted by Russian naval forces before being seized between the British Isles and Iceland. A second tanker was also seized after reportedly departing a Venezuelan port, carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude.
Russia’s Transport Ministry has condemned the move as a violation of freedom of navigation, noting that the Marinera was legally registered in Russia at the time of the US forces’ boarding.
The seizures followed Trump’s announcement that Venezuela would hand over up to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the US.
The capture of the two vessels led to a drop in oil futures.
Reports suggest the White House is demanding that Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, sever ties with strong allies like Russia and China and work exclusively with the United States.
US oil companies left Venezuela after the country nationalized petroleum and natural gas, and lost significant money in the process. Now, they may be hesitant to return.
However, Energy Secretary Chris Wright is actively discussing establishing operations in Venezuela with major US oil executives.