The United States has seized two oil tankers in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean in a bid to enforce sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports. US forces boarded the Russian-flagged Marinera tanker in waters between Iceland and Scotland, supported by the UK Royal Navy. The Marinera, formerly known as the Bella-1, had no oil but the US has alleged it was breaking US sanctions and belongs to a “shadow fleet” used to transport oil from Venezuela and Iran. Moscow’s transport ministry has condemned the seizure of the Marinera, but given flags were allegedly repeatedly changed, the US claims this makes the vessel “stateless” – which can be legally boarded. The M Sophia was also boarded by the US in the Caribbean, accused of conducting illicit activities. Venezuela's leadership is allegedly co-operating, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio says the US plans to control how the oil from Venezuela is sold in a way that benefits both Venezuela and the United States.

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