US Seizes Two Russian Tankers Allegedly Transporting Venezuelan Oil

*Quetta, Pakistan:* The **United States military has seized two oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean**, taking their crews into custody, after the vessels were allegedly involved in illegally transporting oil from Venezuela.

According to US news agencies, the Trump administration stated that these actions are part of efforts to **enforce sanctions and prevent illegal oil trade**.

The first tanker, named **Marinera**, was flying the Russian flag. US authorities said the vessel was violating American sanctions and was seized under a federal court warrant. A statement from the US European Command in the Atlantic noted that a **Coast Guard cutter pursued and intercepted the ship**, which was involved in exporting oil illegally from Venezuela, a country under US sanctions.

The second tanker, **MT Sophia**, was seized in Caribbean waters and was **not flying the flag of any country**, which led authorities to classify it as involved in opaque or secretive oil transport. US officials have not confirmed whether this vessel was directly linked to Venezuelan oil.

The US emphasized that **any tanker violating sanctions will face action, regardless of its location in international waters**.

This comes after the US reportedly conducted an operation on **January 3, detaining Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transferring them to New York**, tightening oil sanctions and maritime enforcement in the region.

Further details are awaited regarding the exact ownership and cargo of the seized vessels.