In a significant escalation of maritime enforcement operations, the United States military has confirmed the seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker M/T Sophia in the North Atlantic Ocean. The vessel was apprehended on Wednesday following an extensive multi-week pursuit by American forces for alleged violations of international sanctions.
The operation was conducted as a collaborative effort between the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. military personnel, according to an official statement from U.S. European Command posted on social media platform X. The tanker had previously evaded boarding attempts near Venezuelan waters before its eventual capture in international waters.
This seizure occurs within the context of heightened geopolitical tensions following the deposition of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Washington has implemented a comprehensive blockade strategy targeting sanctioned vessels operating near the South American OPEC member nation. The U.S. Coast Guard and military forces had been pursuing this particular tanker since last month when it refused compliance with boarding procedures while sailing under the Russian flag.
The interception operation carried substantial diplomatic risks as Russian submarine and naval vessels were operating in proximity to the pursuit area after the two-week Atlantic chase. Moscow, which has consistently condemned U.S. actions regarding Venezuela and maintains existing tensions with Western nations over the Ukraine conflict, has characterized the seizure as provocative.
In a related development, U.S. authorities have simultaneously intercepted another fully-loaded tanker with connections to Venezuela near the northeastern coast of South America. This marks at least the fourth such enforcement action in recent weeks, signaling an intensified campaign to enforce sanctions through maritime interdiction operations.