News - US Moves to Expand Seizure of Venezuela Oil Tankers Amid Legal Contest

In a strategic effort to tighten control over Venezuela's oil exports, the United States is seeking additional court warrants to seize numerous tankers suspected of transporting Venezuelan oil without proper authorization. This move follows a dramatic military operation in which President Nicolas Maduro was detained by US special forces on January 3. The US has already captured five vessels, including the Russian-flagged Marinera, in international waters near Scotland. The Department of Justice has been actively pursuing non-public civil forfeiture actions. These actions aim to authorize the seizure of tankers allegedly circumventing US sanctions while transporting oil from not only Venezuela but also Iran and Russia. Details about the exact number of vessels targeted remain undisclosed, yet Pentagon representatives have emphasized their intent to eliminate what they label as the 'dark fleet' engaged in the illicit oil trade. This rigorous legal campaign complements former President Donald Trump's policy objective to dominate Venezuela's oil sector. Proponents argue these measures are vital to revitalizing the nation’s economy, while detractors criticize them as aggressive extraterritorial enforcement of US sanctions. Russia has expressed strong disapproval, particularly after the seizure of the Marinera, arguing it infringes international maritime rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Russia noted that the Marinera was legally flagged under Russian law at the time of its interception. The US operation was reportedly supported by the UK. Moreover, reports indicate that the UK is contemplating its own legal strategy to target Russian-affiliated tanker operations. Amidst the backdrop of heightened sanctions against Russia due to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Western nations, including the UK, have ramped up sanctions against hundreds of vessels tied to the Russian oil trade.