Overview
- U.S. authorities confirmed the capture of the Russian‑flagged Bella 1, renamed Marinera, in the North Atlantic under a federal court order, and said the Coast Guard also intercepted the tanker M Sophia in the Caribbean.
- The White House said the detained crews could be brought to the United States for prosecution and described the vessels as part of a Venezuelan “ghost fleet” carrying sanctioned crude.
- President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Venezuela’s interim authorities to transfer 30–50 million barrels of oil to the United States, with sale proceeds controlled by him as president.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright told industry executives that the United States will market Venezuelan crude indefinitely and aims to stabilize production before enabling broader participation by U.S. companies.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined a three‑phase approach—stabilization, recovery with market access for Western firms, and a later political transition—as Russia, China, and Mexico publicly condemn the U.S. actions.