U.S. Seizes Two Oil Tankers in Escalation of Venezuela Crude Embargo

The United States has escalated its economic campaign against Venezuela by seizing two oil tankers linked to the government of Nicolás Maduro, a move administration officials described as a major enforcement action under the embargo on Venezuelan crude exports. U.S. officials said on Wednesday the seizures were carried out this week in international waters, with U.S. special forces boarding the Russian-flagged tanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic on Wednesday after tracking the vessel for approximately two weeks. At the same time, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a second tanker in the Caribbean Sea. Both vessels were allegedly transporting Venezuelan oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. Administration officials said the operations were intended to enforce existing sanctions and disrupt revenue streams they say fund narco-terrorism activities tied to Venezuela’s leadership. The seizures follow President Donald Trump’s declaration in December 2025 of a blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan...