US confirms seizure of Russia-flagged oil tanker in Atlantic and another tanker in Caribbean

US forces have confirmed the seizure of a Russia-linked VLCC that has been the subject of a weeks-long pursuit after taking a U-turn to avoid Venezuela in the wake of a US military buildup in waters around the Central American country.

The US military’s European Command said on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the seizure of VLCC Bella 1 was due to the vessel violating US sanctions.

The VLCC had changed its name from Bella 1 to Marinera while in transit, and following an initial attempt by the US Coast Guard (USCG) to board the vessel, according to ship tracking databases. The practice of changing names and flags is common in Russia’s dark fleet of tankers, and doing so while in transit contravenes conventions in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, a foundational treaty of international maritime law.

"The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court after being tracked by USCG [cutter] Munro," the US European Command said.

According to the US, the seizure of the vessel involved multiple agencies, including the US Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the Trump-rebranded Department of Defense, which is now known as the Department of War.

"This seizure supports [the US President’s] Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere. The operation was executed by DHS components with support from [the Department of War], showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland," the US said on X.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commented on the military’s post on X, saying, “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT – anywhere in the world.”

The US Southern Command has also taken to X to confirm the seizure of a second tanker in the Caribbean Sea. The military command claimed the vessel was ’stateless’ and subject to US sanctions.

"In a predawn action this morning, the Department of War, in co-ordination with the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident. The interdicted vessel, Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea," the X post said.

It is not immediately clear which vessel the US is referring to, with Reuters reporting a slightly different name for the vessel based on its own sources.

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The US said the USCG is escorting the seized tanker to the US "for final disposition".

"Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere. We will defend our Homeland and restore security and strength across the Americas," the Southern Command said.

In early December, a US military operation seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela that the US claimed had violated US sanctions. A second tanker was seized later in December at the same point that the US began pursuit of Bella 1, which it has now seized in the North Atlantic.

In a pre-dawn action this morning, the Department of War, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident.

The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and… pic.twitter.com/JQm9gHprPk

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom)

In a pre-dawn action this morning, the Department of War, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident.

The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and… pic.twitter.com/JQm9gHprPk

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 7, 2026