Jan 08, Kathmandu - The US has seized two ships carrying oil from Venezuela. The ships were seized by US forces in a series of operations in the North Atlantic and Caribbean Seas.

After two weeks of trying, the military finally managed to board the Russian-flagged ship Marinera. At the time, the ship was between Iceland and Scotland. The British Royal Navy is said to have provided logistical support to the US military in this operation.

The second ship seized by the US is the Emeriti Sophia. The US has accused the ship of being involved in illegal activities. The move comes amid US efforts to completely stop Venezuela’s crude oil exports. The ships were seized just days after US forces stormed Caracas and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and took them to the US. The embargo on illegal Venezuelan oil is in full force anywhere in the world, US Defense Secretary Pete Heggesth wrote in a post on X.

Russia has condemned the seizure of its flagged vessel. It has also called for the US to treat Russia fairly and allow the ship to return to Russia as soon as possible. Russia recently deployed its navy to protect the vessel after the US military pursued it.