Washington: Secretary of US Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced on Wednesday the seizure of two linked-Venezuela oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean and in international waters close to the Caribbean Sea.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Noem tweeted on "X" that the US Coast Guards carried out two consecutive and accurately coordinated operations before dawn, seizing two oil tankers belonging to the so-called "shadow fleet." One tanker was seized in the Atlantic Ocean and the other in international waters near the Caribbean Sea.
The oil tankers, identified as Bella I and Sophia, were either heading to or docking in Venezuela, Noem stated. She highlighted that the U.S. has been conducting such seizure operations since U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a complete blockade of sanctioned tankers traveling to and from Venezuela.
Noem revealed that the Bella I had attempted to evade the US Coast Guard pursuit for weeks, even going as far as changing its flag and repainting its hull with a new name in a failed attempt to avoid capture.
The crew members of the US Coast Guard cutter "Munro" pursued the Bella I vessel in international waters amidst dangerous stormy conditions. Noem praised their resolve and patriotism, which she said make Americans proud.
She elaborated that the US Coast Guard tactical operations teams worked closely with their peers in the Departments of Defense, Justice, and State, leveraging their specialized expertise to carry out these operations and conduct two safe and effective inspections within a few hours.
Noem emphasized that "criminals around the world may run, but they cannot hide," affirming that the US will never abandon its mission to protect Americans and intercept any source of funding for drugs or terror.