US forces have intercepted and seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, according to officials, as Washington intensifies its campaign to curb the export of Venezuelan crude in defiance of international sanctions.
In a statement posted on X on Friday morning, US Southern Command said the operation sent a strong warning to those attempting to bypass restrictions. “Once again, our joint interagency forces delivered a clear message today: there is no safe haven for criminals,” the command said.
The post confirmed that US Marines and Navy personnel, working in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, successfully “apprehended” the oil tanker Olina during the operation. The vessel was seized after allegedly attempting to evade US authorities following its departure from Venezuela.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the Olina as another so-called “ghost fleet” tanker suspected of transporting embargoed Venezuelan oil. She said the ship was intercepted while trying to avoid detection by US forces enforcing sanctions in the region.
Noem also shared video footage online that appears to show US troops descending onto the tanker from a helicopter during the boarding operation, highlighting the scale and coordination involved in the seizure.
The Olina is currently listed on sanctions registers maintained by several countries, according to US officials.
The incident marks the fifth tanker seized by US forces in recent weeks as part of a broader crackdown on illicit oil shipments linked to Venezuela.
Maritime risk analysis firm Vanguard Tech said the vessel had been attempting to breach what it described as a US naval blockade operating in the Caribbean Sea. The company added that the Olina’s tracking system had been switched off for nearly two months, with its last known signal recorded 52 days ago northeast of Curaçao.
“The seizure follows a prolonged pursuit of tankers connected to sanctioned Venezuelan oil exports in the region,” Vanguard Tech said, noting a growing pattern of vessels operating without active location trackers.
This is a developing story and is being updated. More details will be published as they become available. Readers are advised to refresh the page for the latest information.
