‘Blatant piracy’: Russia condemns tanker seizures as Trump targets Venezuelan oil

Washington: The Trump administration has moved to assert sweeping control over Venezuela’s oil industry, seizing sanctioned tankers and announcing plans to selectively ease sanctions so the United States can oversee the global sale of Venezuelan petroleum.

The move follows Washington’s surprise operation that ousted President Nicolás Maduro and signals a sharp escalation in US efforts to control Venezuela’s vast oil resources, the world’s largest proven crude reserves.

US seeks control over oil flows

Trump’s administration has said it intends to control the distribution of Venezuela’s oil products worldwide. While an existing oil embargo remains in force, the Energy Department said the “only oil transported in and out of Venezuela” will be through approved channels consistent with US law and national security interests.

Such control could give Washington wider leverage over global oil supplies and the ability to influence prices. The moves reflect the administration’s push to shape Venezuela’s future through its oil sector after Trump pledged the US would “run” the country.

Vice President JD Vance said the US could “control” Venezuela’s “purse strings” by dictating where its oil is sold.

“We control the energy resources, and we tell the regime, you’re allowed to sell the oil so long as you serve America’s national interest,” Vance said in an interview to air on FOX News Channel’s “Jesse Watters Primetime.”

“And that’s how we exert incredible pressure on that country without wasting a single American life," he added.

Tankers seized in Atlantic and Caribbean

US forces seized two sanctioned oil tankers carrying Venezuelan petroleum in recent days. US European Command said the merchant vessel Bella 1 was seized in the North Atlantic for “violations of U.S. sanctions”.

The vessel had been pursued since last month after attempting to evade a blockade on sanctioned oil shipments from Venezuela. When the US Coast Guard attempted to board it, the ship fled. European Command said it was tracked “pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court”.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said US forces also took control of the M Sophia in the Caribbean Sea. Both ships had “either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it,” she said.

The vessels join at least two others seized last month — the Skipper and the Centuries.

Evasion attempts and Russian response

Shipping data shows the Bella 1 abruptly changed course on December 15, days after the first US tanker seizure on December 10. During the pursuit, the ship was renamed Marinera and reflagged to Russia. A US official said the crew had painted a Russian flag on the hull.

Russia’s foreign ministry said it had information that Russian nationals were among the crew and demanded that “the American side ensure humane and dignified treatment of them, strictly respect their rights and interests, and not hinder their speedy return to their homeland”.

Senior Russian lawmaker Andrei Klishas described the seizure as “blatant piracy”.

Criminal probes and sanctions enforcement

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department is investigating crew members of the Bella 1 for failing to obey Coast Guard orders.

“Criminal charges will be pursued against all culpable actors,” Bondi said, warning that other vessels could face similar enforcement.

The ship had been sanctioned in 2024 over allegations of smuggling cargo for a company linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Oil sales under US oversight

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said oil seized from the vessels could be included in a deal announced by Trump on Tuesday, under which Venezuela would provide up to 50 million barrels of oil to the US.

“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,” Rubio said.

The Energy Department said sanctions would be “selectively” removed to allow shipping and sales to global markets. Sales of 30 million to 50 million barrels are set to begin immediately and “will continue indefinitely”.

Proceeds will be placed in US-controlled accounts at “globally recognized banks” and disbursed at the discretion of Trump’s government.

PDVSA talks and production plans

Venezuela’s state-owned oil firm PDVSA confirmed it is negotiating with the US government.

“This process is developed under schemes similar to those in force with international companies, such as Chevron, and is based on a strictly commercial transaction, with criteria of legality, transparency and benefit for both parties,” PDVSA said.

The US plans to authorise imports of oilfield equipment and services to lift Venezuela’s output, currently about one million barrels a day. Washington has also signalled investment in the electricity grid to raise production and improve living standards.

Shadow fleet and UK involvement

Noem said the seized vessels were part of a “shadow fleet” smuggling oil for sanctioned countries including Venezuela, Russia and Iran.

After the seizure of the Marinera between Scotland and Iceland, the UK defence ministry said Britain’s military provided support, including surveillance aircraft.

“This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fueling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

M Sophia cargo details

The capture of the M Sophia, sanctioned for transporting illicit Russian oil, was faster. The tanker had been “running dark” since July, with tracking systems switched off.

Samir Madani of TankerTrackers.com said satellite imagery showed at least 16 tankers leaving Venezuela since Saturday, including the M Sophia, which was photographed near the Jose Terminal.

Maritime intelligence firm Windward said the vessel loaded on December 26 and was carrying about 1.8 million barrels of crude — worth roughly $108 million at around $60 a barrel.