U.S. Forces Seize Oil Tanker in Caribbean Targeting Venezuelan Sanctions
U.S. military forces conducted operations early Friday to seize an oil tanker in the Caribbean, part of a sustained campaign by the Trump administration to intercept sanctioned vessels linked to Venezuela. The capture of the vessel, identified as the Olina, underscores ongoing efforts to control the flow of Venezuelan oil in response to the country’s economic turmoil and the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro.
Why It Matters
The seizure highlights the U.S. government’s intensified focus on Venezuelan oil exports, which have been heavily sanctioned as part of economic pressure on the Maduro regime. Controlling these shipments is seen as vital for limiting Maduro’s access to funding while supporting global oil market stability amid rising tensions in the region.
Key Developments
- U.S. Marines and Navy boarded the Olina in a pre-dawn operation in the Caribbean.
- This marks the fifth tanker seizure linked to Venezuela in recent months.
- The operation was announced by U.S. Southern Command, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for criminal activity in the region.
- A spokesperson for Southern Command refrained from commenting on specific affiliations or sanctions related to the ship.
- The U.S. Coast Guard directed media inquiries to the White House without providing additional comments on the incident.
Full Report
According to U.S. Southern Command, the operation involved a coordinated effort by Navy and Marine Corps forces in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, which was overseeing the mission. Unclassified footage shared on social media shows a U.S. helicopter landing on the deck of the Olina and personnel conducting a search of the vessel.
This latest seizure aligns with a broader U.S. strategy following the ousting of Nicolás Maduro, aimed at restricting the distribution of Venezuelan oil products worldwide. Despite the ongoing enforcement of these sanctions, details regarding the Olina’s ownership or operational status have yet to be clarified by federal agencies, as a spokesperson deferred those inquiries to the Justice Department and Homeland Security.
Context & Previous Events
The capture of the Olina is part of a multi-month buildup of U.S. forces in the Caribbean aimed at addressing what the Southern Command refers to as criminal activity related to sanctioned vessels. The action highlights the ongoing economic struggles faced by Venezuelans and intensifies U.S. efforts to counteract Maduro’s influence following his removal from power.
