US forces have seized another tanker in the Caribbean Sea as part of ongoing efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports. The tanker, called the Olina, is on several countries’ sanctions lists and is the fifth vessel taken by the US in recent weeks.
The US uses these seizures to pressure Venezuela’s interim government and to remove the “dark fleet” of over 1,000 tankers that carry sanctioned and illegal oil. The US military’s Southern Command stated, “Once again, our forces have sent a clear message: ‘there is no safe haven for criminals.’”
Officials said the operation took place before dawn, with Marines and sailors working alongside the Department of Homeland Security. They seized the tanker after it left Venezuela, trying to avoid US forces.
The Olina reportedly left Venezuelan waters late Sunday after US forces captured President Nicolás Maduro in an early morning raid.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted on X that this was another “ghost fleet” tanker suspected of carrying embargoed oil. She shared a video showing troops descending onto the ship from a helicopter, calling the operation “safe” and “effective.”
Maritime risk company Vanguard Tech reported that the vessel was trying to break through the US naval blockade in the Caribbean. It had been sailing under a false flag registered to Timor-Leste, according to the International Maritime Organization.
Vanguard Tech added that the vessel’s location tracker was last active 52 days ago, northeast of Curacao. They noted that the seizure followed a long pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the area.
The US had sanctioned the Olina last January when it was named Minerva M, accusing it of helping finance Russia’s war in Ukraine by moving Russian oil to foreign markets.
US Back-to-back Operations
This week, the United States announced it seized two tankers involved in Venezuelan oil exports during operations in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean. One of the tankers is the Marinera, which is flagged from Russia. The UK Royal Navy helped capture it by providing support from air and sea.
The Marinera is believed to be part of a shadow fleet that transports oil for Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, violating US sanctions. US officials say the Marinera was falsely flying the flag of Guyana last month, making it stateless.
The second tanker, the M/T Sophia, is accused of engaging in illegal activities. Experts explain that, under international maritime law, authorities can board stateless vessels.
US President Donald Trump stated that Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, will hand over up to 50 million barrels of oil worth about $2.8 billion (£2.1 billion) to the US.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US will sell this oil at market rates and manage how the proceeds are used to benefit the Venezuelan people.
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