Not one but two tankers
Dual Tanker Seizures Mark Major U.S. Escalation Against Venezuela’s Shadow Fleet
Mike Schuler January 7, 2026
Back-to-back predawn raids signal escalation in U.S. crackdown on sanctioned “Ghost Fleet” tankers.
U.S. authorities have seized two sanctioned oil tankers in separate operations spanning the North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea, marking the most aggressive phase yet of Washington’s campaign against vessels accused of supporting illicit crude-oil networks linked to Venezuela.
Both ships had either recently departed Venezuela or were en route to the country, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“In two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ships—one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean,” Noem said in a statement. “Both vessels—the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor Tanker Sophia—were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it.”
Video of the seizures shared on social media shows U.S. forces descending onto the tankers’ decks by helicopter.
U.S. European Command confirmed the capture of the M/T Marinera—formerly known as Bella 1—in the North Atlantic following weeks of pursuit by the Coast Guard cutter Munro. “The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro,” the command said.
UK forces supported the operation by providing “pre-planned operational support, including basing.”
“RFA Tideforce provided support for U.S. forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, while the RAF provided surveillance support from the air,” the UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement. “The UK and U.S. defence and security relationship is the deepest in the world and the UK provided enabling support to the operation in full compliance with international law.”
The seizure of Marinera followed a dramatic chase that began December 20, when the tanker, then operating as Bella 1, refused Coast Guard orders to stop in the Caribbean and fled into the Atlantic. During the pursuit, the vessel attempted to evade capture by hastily reflagging to Russia and repainting its hull with a crude Russian flag, claiming protection under Moscow’s registry.
U.S. officials say the last-minute reflagging was irrelevant because the tanker was operating without a legitimate flag when first approached—rendering it effectively stateless under international law and subject to interdiction. The ship is not currently carrying oil.
“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 said. “The heroic crew of the USCGC Munro pursued this vessel across the high seas and through treacherous storms—keeping diligent watch, and protecting our country with the determination and patriotism that make Americans proud.”
Sophia Seized
Hours later, U.S. Southern Command announced a separate pre-dawn operation in the Caribbean Sea, where the Department of War and the Department of Homeland Security apprehended the M/T Sophia “without incident.” The command said the ship was “operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea.”
“Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere,” Southern Command said. “We will defend our Homeland and restore security and strength across the Americas.”
The Coast Guard is now escorting the M/T Sophia to the United States for final disposition.
More:
https://gcaptain.com/dual-tanker-seizures-mark-u-s-escalation-against-venezuelas-shadow-fleet/