United States seize another sanctioned tanker

The US Coast Guard in the Caribbean Sea has seized another tanker that is subject to US-imposed sanctions.

Source: US Southern Command

Quote: "In a pre-dawn action this morning, the Department of War, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident."

The tanker Sophia was operating in international waters and was engaged in illegal activity in the Caribbean Sea. The US Coast Guard is escorting the Sophia to the United States, Southern Command reported.

"Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere. We will defend our Homeland and restore security and strength across the Americas," the statement said.

The vessel is linked to Russia's so-called shadow fleet.

Background:

• Earlier, the US European Command announced the confiscation of the vessel M/V Bella 1 for violating US sanctions. The tanker is registered under the Russian flag, and the seizure is therefore considered one that could increase tensions in US-Russia relations.
• Earlier reports said that around a dozen oil tankers loaded with Venezuelan crude oil and fuel had left the country's territorial waters in dark mode (with transponders switched off) since the start of the year.
• Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA has begun cutting crude oil production as available storage capacity in the country is running out amid the ongoing US blockade, which has reduced exports to zero.
• US President Donald Trump said that Venezuela's interim authorities would transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States.

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