News Brief: US Seizes Oil Tankers and Outlines Venezuela Plan
Summary
The US military seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela within hours, one in the North Atlantic and one in the Caribbean. These actions are part of a broader operation targeting Venezuela’s “dark fleet” and coincide with the US outlining a three-phase plan for Venezuela’s future, aiming to control its oil revenue to exert leverage.
Key Points
- Dual Tanker Seizures: US forces, with British support, seized the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera (ex-Bella 1) near Iceland. A second tanker, the Sophia, was seized without incident in the Caribbean.
- International Tensions: Russia condemned the seizure of the Marinera, demanded humane treatment and release of Russian crew, and reportedly sent naval assets. The UK defended its support as lawful.
- US Three-Phase Plan: Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined a plan: 1) Stabilize Venezuela using oil sale revenues, 2) A “recovery” phase allowing Western market access and reconciliation, 3) A transition determined by the Venezuelan people.
- Control Over Oil Revenue: US officials stated they will “indefinitely” control Venezuelan oil sales, marketing stored oil and future production, with proceeds going to a US-overseen account to fund goods for Venezuela.
- Broader Context: Seizures follow the US military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The plan faces criticism, with Senator Chris Murphy calling it “insane” and accusing the US of “stealing oil at gunpoint.”
新闻简报：美国扣押油轮并概述对委内瑞拉计划
摘要
美国军方在数小时内扣押了两艘与委内瑞拉有关的油轮，一艘在北大西洋，另一艘在加勒比海。这些行动是针对委内瑞拉”暗黑舰队”更广泛行动的一部分，同时美国概述了对委内瑞拉未来的三阶段计划，旨在控制其石油收入以施加影响力。
关键点
- 双重油轮扣押：美军在英国支持下，在冰岛附近扣押了悬挂俄罗斯国旗的Marinera号油轮（前Bella 1号）。第二艘油轮Sophia号在加勒比海被无事故扣押。
- 国际局势紧张：俄罗斯谴责扣押Marinera号，要求人道对待并释放俄罗斯船员，并据报派遣了海军资产。英国为其提供的支持辩护，称其合法。
- 美国三阶段计划：国务卿马可·卢比奥概述了一项计划：1) 利用石油销售收入稳定委内瑞拉；2) “恢复”阶段，允许西方市场准入并进行和解；3) 由委内瑞拉人民决定的过渡阶段。
- 控制石油收入：美国官员表示将”无限期”控制委内瑞拉石油销售，出售库存石油和未来产量，收益将存入美国监管的账户，用于为委内瑞拉购买物资。
- 更广泛背景：此次扣押行动发生在美军抓捕委内瑞拉总统尼古拉斯·马杜罗之后。该计划遭到批评，参议员克里斯·墨菲称之为”疯狂”计划，指责美国”在枪口下偷油”。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-08/us-intercepts-bella-1-venezuelan-oil-tanker-russia-sub/106208100