Russia has condemned the United States seizure of two tankers manned by a Russian crew, one in the Caribbean Sea the other in the North Atlantic.

U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that his country controls the western hemisphere and doesn’t want Russian or Chinese presence in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Yesterday, U.S. forces seized another tanker in the Caribbean Sea, this time it was the “ Olina”. This is the fifth tanker to be taken by U.S. authorities as it controls exports of Venezuelan oil.

President Trump has said no oil from Venezuela is to go to China or Russia and that the U.S. now controls the region with Latin America and  Caribbean governments having to step in line and comply with American diktats.  He has declared that he wants to remove the “ dark fleet” of tankers from the Caribbean. 

Russia’s Foreign Ministry responded, writing : “ We call on Washington to resume compliance with the fundamental norms and principals of international maritime norms and principles of international maritime navigation and immediately cease its illegal actions against the “Marinera” and other vessels engaged in law-abiding activities on the high seas.

“We reiterate our demand that the U.S. ensure humane and dignified treatment of the Russian citizens comprising the tanker’s crew, strictly observe their rights and interests and create no obstacles  to their prompt return to their homeland.”

The U.S. accused the M/T Sophia of conducting illicit activities.

Last week, the U.S. military via a Delta Force team seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after a number of air strikes on the Caribbean country.

President Trump announced that the U.S. now controls Venezuela and is the supreme power in the region. He went as far as declaring there will be no Russian of Chinese interests in the region and if they should appear, America will vanquish them.

Caribbean countries will no longer be allowed to trade with China or allow its investments in the region. Venezuelan oil will no longer go to Russia and China. 

“The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT-anywhere in the world,” wrote Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The tankers were flying a Russian flag.

The U.S. were assisted in seizing the tanker in the North Atlantic by the U.K. military.

President Trump wants to remove the dark fleet of tankers from the Caribbean.

Earlier this week, he announced that Venezuela will be turning over 50 million barrels of oil worth US$2.8 billion to the U.S..

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “this oil will be sold in the marketplace at market rates and that the U.S. would control how the proceeds were dispersed in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people.”