UPDATE - US apprehends 'stateless, sanctioned' tanker in international waters: Southern Command

UPDATES WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM SOUTHCOM POST, ADDS BACKGROUND

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US apprehended on Wednesday a "stateless, sanctioned dark fleet" motor tanker in international waters, Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said.

"The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea," SOUTHCOM said via US social media company X, adding that the interdiction occurred "without incident."

It said the US Coast Guard was escorting the M/T Sophia to the US for final disposition.

"Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere," it added.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that the US continues to enforce the blockade against so-called “dark fleet” vessels accused of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil.

"The United States continues to enforce the blockade against all dark fleet vessels illegally transporting Venezuelan oil to finance illicit activity, stealing from the Venezuelan people. Only legitimate and lawful energy commerce—as determined by the U.S.—will be permitted," Hegseth wrote on X.

His remarks came after the US conducted a military operation in Venezuela on Jan. 3 to capture President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

US forces launched widespread airstrikes early Saturday on targets in northern Venezuela, including air defense systems and communications infrastructure, while special operations forces conducted a raid in the capital Caracas to seize Maduro and Flores.

During the first hearing in their trial on drug- and weapons-related charges in New York, both pleaded not guilty to the charges.