The U.S. military announced that it seized two oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean.
“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 U.S. Southern Command said in a statement. “The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. Coast Guard is escorting M/T Sophia to the U.S. for final disposition.”
“Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere,” the statement continued. “We will defend our Homeland and restore security and strength across the Americas.”
Commenting on the seizure of Bella 1, War Secretary Pete Hegseth said, “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem explained that “[b]oth vessels —the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor Taker Sophia—were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it.”
“One of these tankers, Motor Tanker Bella I, has been trying to evade the Coast Guard for weeks, even changing its flag and painting a new name on the hull while being pursued, in a desperate and failed attempt to escape justice,” Noem added.
The seizures follow President Trump declaring Tuesday night that “Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.”
