Ship pursued from the coast of Venezuela to the northern Atlantic; Rubio to meet Danish officials for Greenland negotiations
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media during a briefing for the House of Representatives on the situation in Venezuela, at the Capitol. Photo: Reuters
WASHINGTON/CARACAS:
The United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic on Wednesday after pursuing it from the coast of Venezuela, escalating tensions with Moscow and cementing Washington’s control over Venezuela’s oil reserves.
The ship, formerly known as Bella-1 and recently renamed Marinera, had evaded previous U.S. attempts to board it near Venezuela, where a U.S. raid last Saturday deposed President Nicolas Maduro.
The ship, which now sails under the Russian flag, had been sanctioned by the United States since 2024 for its alleged links to Iran and Hezbollah. U.S. European Command said the seizure was made pursuant to a warrant issued by a federal court.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth described the action as part of a global blockade on Venezuelan oil, declaring that the United States controls “anywhere in the world.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said a second sanctioned tanker was also seized in the Caribbean, showing U.S. forces roped in from helicopters and taking control of the bridge with weapons at the ready.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that 30 million to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude would be shipped to U.S. ports, with revenues potentially exceeding $2 billion placed under his control. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright added that Washington would manage Venezuelan oil sales “indefinitely”, overseeing both stored stocks and future production.
The operation was quickly condemned by Moscow. The Russian Transport Ministry called the seizure a violation of international law, citing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and saying that “no state has the right to use force against ships duly registered under the jurisdiction of other states.” He demanded the immediate return of the Russian crew members.
Britain said it was providing “enabling support” to US forces, with Royal Navy ships and RAF surveillance assets helping to track and interdict the ship in the North Atlantic. The British Ministry of Defense said the tanker had initially flown a false flag and engaged in illicit activities linked to international terrorism. Defense Minister John Healey stressed that the operation was fully in line with international law.
Meanwhile, in Caracas, streets returned to relative normality on Wednesday after days of disrupted transportation and closed stores following the U.S. operation. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, a former vice president and energy minister under Maduro, pledged to cooperate with Washington amid fears of another regime change.
The White House said Venezuela’s interim authorities would act under “maximum influence” from the United States, with decisions “dictated by the United States,” according to press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented a three-phase US plan for Venezuela: stabilization, guaranteeing access to oil for Western and US companies during a recovery phase and, ultimately, political transition. Democrats, including Sen. Chris Murphy, criticized the plan as amounting to “stealing oil at gunpoint.”
Trump warned Rodriguez that she would face a “very high price” if she failed to cooperate with U.S. demands, which include ceding control of the oil industry and weakening ties with Cuba, China, Iran and Russia. Despite claims of U.S. control, Rodriguez insisted that “the government of Venezuela is in control of our country, and no one else,” projecting defiance alongside hard-liners in the security forces.
Greenland
The seizure of the tanker and U.S. actions in Venezuela coincided with renewed tensions over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic. Trump has “actively discussed” the potential purchase of Greenland with his national security team, citing strategic concerns about Russian and Chinese influence in the region.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president preferred diplomacy but would not rule out military options, emphasizing that “all options are still on the table for President Trump.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed he would meet with Danish officials next week to discuss the issue, following Denmark’s request for talks after Trump’s statements on acquiring the island.
Rubio stressed that the administration intends to respond to any national security threats diplomatically when possible, while emphasizing that the United States has “the option for every president” to respond militarily if necessary.
Trump’s interest in Greenland, first announced publicly in 2019, has sparked concern among European allies and NATO members because U.S. military action against another member could have significant geopolitical repercussions.
House Speaker Mike Johnson sought to reassure lawmakers, saying he had not heard of any plans to deploy U.S. forces to Greenland and that the focus remained on diplomatic engagement.
Analysts say Greenland’s importance lies in its strategic location, mineral wealth and access to the Arctic. Some observers suggest that the timing of Trump’s Greenland ambitions, coinciding with increased U.S. intervention in Venezuela, reflects a broader U.S. focus on securing critical resources and strategic outposts amid global competition with Russia and China.
