U.S. Coast Guard Seizes TWO (2) Sanctioned Oil Tankers Linked To Venezuela

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The United States announced the seizure of two (2) sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela early this morning (Wednesday 7th January, 2026), in back-to-back military actions in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. Both vessels were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it.

These ships are part of a large “ghost fleet” of sanctioned vessels that are said to transport oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela, in defiance of Western sanctions, mostly to customers in Asia.

In a statement released on X, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, said, “In two (2) pre-dawn 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. Both vessels — the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor Tanker Sophia — were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it. Under President Trump’s bold and visionary leadership, US Coast Guard tactical teams worked closely with its counterparts at the Departments of War, Department of Justice and State and used their specialized expertise to conduct these operations and conduct two (2) safe, effective boardings within hours of each other.”

Secretary Noem added, “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. 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. These brave men and women deserve our nation’s thanks for their selfless devotion to duty.”

Her statement concluded by saying, “The world’s criminals are on notice. You can run, but you can’t hide. We will never relent in our mission to protect the American people and disrupt the funding of narco terrorism wherever we find it, period. This is our country’s greatest fighting force at their best. This is America first at sea.”

More on this as it becomes available.

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