The United States has seized a tanker linked to Russia off the coast of Europe and a second vessel in the Caribbean in an escalation of the enforcement of the Venezuela oil blockade.
Dramatic footage showed American special forces boarding the M/V Bella 1 in the Northern Atlantic after pursuing it for weeks in an operation inflaming tensions with Moscow.
The Coast Guard also captured a second vessel – the Motor Tanker Sophia – off the coast of the Caribbean in the coordinated operation on Wednesday morning.
In response to the interceptions, Andrei Klishas, a member of the upper house of Russia’s parliament said the US actions were ‘outright piracy.’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put the world on notice by saying that the blockade of Venezuelan oil is in full effect, and said no ship is safe anywhere in the world.
The Russian Transport Ministry then responded by saying: ‘no state has the right to use force against vessels properly registered in other countries’ jurisdictions.’ It added that US forces boarded the Marinera at 3pm Moscow time, where communications were shortly lost with the vessel after.
Donald Trump appears to have dismissed the threat of Vladimir Putin‘s forces lurking nearby, including reports of a submarine.
Andrei Klishas, a member of the upper house of Russia’s parliament, told TASS state news agency the American seizure of Russian-flagged oil tanker is ‘outright piracy.’
Before the seizure, Russia’s foreign ministry said it was ‘monitoring with concern the unusual situation’ surrounding the ship Marinera.
As U.S. forces moved to take control of the vessel, Russia’s transport ministry said the ship was operating ‘outside the territorial waters of any state’ and that contact with it had been lost.
Soon after, Russian officials pointed to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, arguing that no state has the right to use force against ships legally registered under another country’s jurisdiction.
Venezuela could be just the first domino of Trump’s ‘Donroe Doctrine’ as it’s revealed he told oil exec to ‘get ready’ before ousting Maduro
The capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro could be just the first step in an ambitious campaign as a new document lays out Trump’s playbook to reshape the world order.
The National Security Strategy – published last month – spells out a large-scale plan to use America’s military dominance to exert control over the Western Hemisphere and beyond.
The policy states: ‘We will assert and enforce a “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine.
Energy Secretary confirms US will sell Venezuelan oil
Energy Secretary Chris Ward said in told Wednesday’s Goldman Sachs energy conference that the United States would be leading the sale of Venezuela’s crude oil going forward.
‘We are going to market the crude coming out of Venezuela, first this backed up stored oil, and then infinitely, going forward we will sell the production that comes out of Venezuela into the marketplace,’ Wright said.
‘We will have the U.S. as the supplier of the diluent that has come down there to enable that production.’
Operation Absolute Resolve: How the US captured Nicolas Maduro
The brazen operation to capture despot Nicolas Maduro was, undeniably, one of the most daring raids in US military history. In the dead of night, more than 150 warplanes snuck across the Caribbean into Venezuela.
Armed to the teeth, they pummelled the country’s Russian-made defences and plunged the South American country’s capital, Caracas, into darkness. Within two-and-a-half hours of getting the order from President Donald Trump, elite troops had infiltrated Maduro’s home.
Captured, commandos whisked him and his wife to the US, where the Trump administration planned to put the ‘narco-terrorist’ on trial for drugs and weapons charges. This is how the mission unfolded…
Karoline Leavitt says it’s ‘too early’ for election timetable in Venezuela
At a White House press briefing on Wednesday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said it was too early to timetable elections in Venezuela following Nicolas Maduro’s capture by US forces in his home in Caracas.
‘It’s too premature and too early to dictate a timetable for elections in Venezuela right now,’ she said.
The brazen operation to capture despot Nicolas Maduro was, undeniably, one of the most daring raids in US military history.
Ukraine Foreign Minister praises US oil tanker seizure
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha praised Donald Trump for seizing a Russian oil tanker.
‘The apprehension of a Russian-flagged ship in the North Atlantic underscores the United States’ and President Trump’s resolute leadership,’ he wrote on X.
‘We welcome such approach to dealing with Russia: act, not fear. This is also relevant to peace process and bringing a lasting peace closer.’
Senator Elizabeth Warren says Venezuela situation is ‘worse than you thought’
Senator Elizabeth Warren called for public hearings on US operations in Venezuela after attending a classified Congressional briefing on the situation.
‘I just left the Venezuela briefing. It’s worse than you thought,’ she wrote on X.
‘Oil company executives seem to know more about Trump’s secret plan to “run” Venezuela than the American people. We need public Senate hearings NOW.’
Venezuela state oil company confirms it is working on US deal
Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA confirmed it is negotiating a crude oil sale with the United States.
‘This process is being developed under frameworks similar to those currently in effect with international companies, such as Chevron, and is based on a strictly commercial transaction,’ the company said.
Yesterday, Donald Trump said Venezuela agreed to give the United States 30 to 50 million barrels of oil which could be worth up to $2billion.
DOJ monitoring other vessels for ‘similar enforcement action,’ AG Pam Bondi says
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice is monitoring several other vessels for similar enforcement action after the US seized two oil tankers.
‘The Department of Justice is monitoring several other vessels for similar enforcement action – anyone on any vessel who fails to obey instructions of the Coast Guard or other federal officials will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,’ she wrote on X.
Bondi also said crew members on oil tanker M/V Bella 1 – the vessel captured in the Northern Atlantic – are under criminal investigation for failing to comply.
‘Despite frantic efforts to avoid apprehension, including fleeing from the @USCG, the BELLA 1 was safely apprehended this morning,’ Bondi wrote.
‘As a consequence of failing to obey the Coast Guard’s orders, members of this vessel are under full investigation and criminal charges will be pursued against all culpable actors.’
Trump administration releases new dietary guidelines
The Trump administration released new federal nutrition advice on Wednesday.
Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said that the newest version of the dietary guidelines, which will run through 2030, will emphasize saturated fats, a type of dietary fat that helps provide the body with energy.
The guidelines warn Americans should steer clear of all sugar-sweetened beverages like fruit juice and soda and that children should avoid added sugars until age 10, much later than the previous recommendation of age two.
It also warned against foods high in refined carbohydrates like rice, oats and bread.
US forces seize rogue oil tanker in daring commando-style mid-Atlantic raid as humiliated Russian navy watches on
The United States has seized a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuelan oil in a daring commando-style raid, after a more than two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic.
Dramatic photos in Russian media purportedly show a helicopter – believed to be an American MH-6 Little Bird – swooping close to the rogue vessel before it was captured by US forces around 124 miles south of the Icelandic coast.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that British troops provided support for the seizure of the Marinera today including ‘pre-planned operational support, including basing, to US military assets’.
Did the Trump administration demand Venezuela cut ties with multiple countries?
In a press briefing on Wednesday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about reports that Trump demanded Venezuela cut ties with China, Russia, Cuba and Iran.
‘Those alleged demands were made in a classified briefing by Secretary Rubio,’ she said.
‘I know that there’s a lot of leaks coming out of these classified briefings, so I’m not going to confirm or deny or get into what the secretary has said in classified settings to members of Congress.
‘But I think that the administration has made it quite clear to the interim authorities in Venezuela that this is the western hemisphere, and American dominance is going to continue under this president.’
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Tensions flare as Russian lawmaker accuses US of PIRACY after Trump’s forces seize two ships in daring raids: Live updates
