With Russian submarines nearby, the US military seized a Venezuelan oil tanker that the US Coast Guard had been chasing. It was recently re-registered under a Russian flag. They also seized another oil tanker that was registered under a Cameroon flag. Both were known to be carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil.

Apparently, someone figured the US wouldn’t mess with a Russian-flagged ship. They figured wrong.

“In two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two “ghost fleet” tanker ships— one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean. Both vessels —the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor Taker Sophia—were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it. One of these tankers, Motor Tanker Bella I, has been trying to evade the Coast Guard for weeks, even changing its flag and painting a new name on the hull while being pursued, in a desperate and failed attempt to escape justice. The heroic crew of the USCGC Munro pursued this vessel across the high seas and through treacherous storms— keeping diligent watch, and protecting our country with the determination and patriotism that make Americans proud…” Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary

US Special Forces just took over a Russian ‘shadow fleet’ ship called the Marinera.

This would be a HUGE deal in any situation because obviously it’s the US vs Russia.

But to make the story crazier…there’s rumors that the ship is not full of oil…rather weapons that Russia… pic.twitter.com/yf1CbbROPv

— Jordan Crowder (@digijordan) January 7, 2026

This is the moment US Special Forces successfully boarded the RUSSIAN -flagged Iranian-linked oil tanker, Marinera, in the Atlantic ocean.

I’m beginning to think that the US is mightier than we assumed. pic.twitter.com/JTRvms5Wom

— Harmless (@Harmless12345) January 7, 2026

We just took down a Russian-flagged oil tanker out of Venezuela. Russian subs are shadowing it. When we sink those fuckers with our subs, will the left become pro-Russia? You think our army kicks ass… wait until you see our Navy fight at sea. Maybe Cubans are driving that sub…

— Robert J. O’Neill (@mchooyah) January 7, 2026

JUST IN: The United States has seized two “ghost fleet” tanker ships including a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela following a multi-week long pursuit.

“In two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two… pic.twitter.com/e0vSMXrYPZ

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 7, 2026

Russia-flagged tanker seized by US Coast Guard after slipping past Venezuela blockade https://t.co/rXrPnSZx9w pic.twitter.com/HsWxxYBtWT

— New York Post (@nypost) January 7, 2026

American marines in a helicopter began storming the Russian tanker Marinera, which is being pursued by the US Coast Guard in the North Atlantic. The information is confirmed by both photographs and the media, including Russian media.

The ship was previously registered under the… pic.twitter.com/jPuSxhwih6

— Denys Shtilierman (@DenShtilierman) January 7, 2026

The two Venezuelan oil tankers were carrying oil that was “sanctioned” by the United States due to Venezuela’s dictator and human rights abuses.

*****

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