US Seizes and Sells Sanctioned Oil Tankers

Two sanctioned oil tankers, seized by the U.S. government, have been sold for scrap. The vessels, identified as the Era and Lileo, were purchased last month by Dubai-headquartered Global Marketing Systems. This sale occurred after their seizure in the days following Washington's raid on Venezuela and subsequent sanctions against Russia. Both tankers will be dismantled in scrap yards located in India. The U.S. government confirmed a court order authorized these sales. The Era was seized in January off the coast of Iceland after a pursuit, having previously evaded a U.S. blockade aimed at halting oil exports from Venezuela. The Lileo was also seized in the Caribbean Sea in January. Sanctioned vessels frequently alter their names to avoid detection. The U.S. seized as many as 10 oil tankers following its military action in Venezuela.