The United States is seeking to expand its control over Venezuela’s oil production and trade, with the Department of Justice filing civil forfeiture actions to seize dozens of tankers suspected of transporting Venezuelan oil without authorization. According to sources familiar with the matter, the move aims to solidify Washington’s grip on the South American nation’s oil exports, following a recent escalation of tensions.
The US military and Coast Guard have already seized five vessels in international waters, including the Russian-flagged Marinera, which was intercepted northwest of Scotland. The US Department of Justice has filed multiple non-public civil forfeiture actions in Washington D.C. district courts, seeking warrants to seize tankers accused of evading US sanctions and moving oil from Venezuela, as well as Iran and Russia.
The legal push aligns with President Donald Trump’s stated goal to control Venezuela’s oil resources, which the White House frames as necessary to rebuild the country’s industry for the benefit of its people. However, critics argue that the campaign represents an unprecedented extraterritorial application of US law and unilateral sanctions.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the seizure of the Marinera as a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees freedom of navigation in international waters. The Russian Transport Ministry confirmed that the tanker was operating under a temporary Russian flag in accordance with Russian and international law when it was interdicted.
The US raid against the Marinera was conducted with British support, and the UK government is exploring its own legal justifications to detain Russia-linked tankers. Western governments have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, targeting its oil trade and what they call its ‘shadow fleet’. The UK has imposed sanctions on over 500 vessels, and the US is seeking to increase pressure on Venezuela’s oil industry.
The seizure of tankers is part of a broader effort by the US to assert its influence over global oil trade and to enforce its sanctions regime. The move is likely to escalate tensions between the US and Russia, as well as with other countries that oppose the use of unilateral sanctions. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to the US actions and what implications this will have for global oil markets and international relations.
