The White House held a press briefing after the United States seized a Russian-flagged vessel in the North Atlantic linked to Venezuelan oil shipments. The operation was presented as part of a broader effort to counter the so-called “ghost fleet” used to evade international sanctions.
US officials also said a second tanker was apprehended in the Caribbean. According to Washington, the two ships were boarded in “back-to-back” operations targeting vessels suspected of operating outside the sanctions framework.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that British military forces supported the US seizure of the Atlantic tanker, Marinera. The support included air surveillance and the involvement of a Royal Navy vessel.
Moscow responded by stating that the tanker was only temporarily flagged to Russia and argued that “no state has the right to use force against vessels properly registered in other countries’ jurisdictions.”
The ship is accused by US authorities of breaching American sanctions and transporting Iranian oil. Historically, the vessel has carried Venezuelan crude oil, although reports indicate it was empty at the time of the seizure.
During the same briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed questions about Donald Trump’s claims that the United States is effectively in charge of Venezuela. She said the Trump administration remains in close communication with Caracas and maintains “maximum leverage.”
“We are continuing to be in close coordination with the interim authorities, and their decisions are going to continue to be dictated by the United States of America,” Leavitt said in response to reporters.