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The U.S. Seizes Two Oil Tankers With Ties to Venezuela
On Wednesday, the United States seized two oil tankers, including a Russian-flagged ship. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also outlined a plan for Venezuela’s near future.
“The vessel this morning was seized in the North Atlantic, and this was a Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel that has transported sanctioned oil. And the United States of America under this president is not going to tolerate that. There was another vessel this morning, the Sophia, that in coordination with the Department of War, the Department of Homeland Security apprehended it. This is a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker, and this occurred without incident. This vessel was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea.” “Step 1 is the stabilization of the country. We don’t want it descending into chaos. Part of that stabilization, and the reason why we understand and believe that we have the strongest leverage possible is our quarantine. As you’ve seen today, two more ships were seized. We are in the midst right now and, in fact, about to execute on a deal to take all the oil. They have oil that is stuck in Venezuela. They can’t move it because of our quarantine and because it’s sanctioned. We are going to take between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil. We’re going to sell it in the marketplace at market rates. It’s not just winging it. It’s not just saying or speculating. It’s going to happen it’s already happening. Like the oil arrangement that we’ve made with PDVSA on their sanctioned oil that they can’t move — understand they are not generating any revenue from their oil right now. They understand that the only way they can move oil and generate revenue, and not have economic collapse is if they cooperate and work with the United States. And that’s what we see are going to happen.”
On Wednesday, the United States seized two oil tankers, including a Russian-flagged ship. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also outlined a plan for Venezuela’s near future.
By Meg Felling
January 7, 2026
