US Military Seizes Two Oil Tankers Linked to Venezuela and Russia's Shadow Fleet

US Seizes Shadow Fleet Tankers

• 🇺🇸 US armed forces in the Caribbean have seized a vessel in Caribbean waters by Southern Command, identified as part of the "shadow fleet."
• 🚢 This unmarked ship, the Sophia, is believed to be used by countries like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to move sanctioned oil.
• 🇷🇺 A second seizure involved the Marinara, which was flying the flag of the Russian Federation, near Iceland.

Russia Condemns Seizure

• 🗣️ Russia's Ministry of Transportation condemned the US action, stating no state has the right to use force against vessels registered in other jurisdictions.
• ⚓ The Marinara had received temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag on December 24th.

Strategic Significance of Seizures

• 🛰️ US forces reported Russian naval craft, including a submarine, were in the vicinity during the Marinara seizure, likely to deter intervention.
• 🚩 It is atypical for shadow fleet ships to fly Russian flags; they usually use flags of convenience from countries with weaker registration systems.
• 🎯 The US contends both ships are part of the shadow fleet with ties to Venezuela, a strategy to pressure the temporary government in Caracas through economic means, including oil sanctions and seizures.
• ⚠️ The US military remains in the region in case economic pressure needs to escalate to more forceful measures.