Washington D.C. – The United States has seized another tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea, marking the fifth such operation in recent weeks. The vessel, identified as the Motor Tanker Olina, was intercepted while attempting to evade American forces and break through a US naval blockade designed to prevent sanctioned oil from leaving Venezuelan waters.
The seizure of this tanker linked to Venezuela represents an escalation in Washington’s enforcement of oil sanctions against the South American nation. Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem announced the operation, signaling that the United States remains committed to disrupting what authorities describe as “ghost fleet” operations carrying embargoed oil.
Details of the Latest Seizure Operation
Early Friday morning, the US Coast Guard executed a boarding and seizure of the tanker linked to Venezuela in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea. Noem revealed the operation through a post on social media platform X, stating, “The world’s criminals are on notice.”
According to Noem, the tanker linked to Venezuela was suspected of carrying embargoed oil and had departed from Venezuelan territory while attempting to evade US forces. The operation required careful coordination among multiple federal agencies to ensure its success and compliance with international law.
The Homeland Security chief emphasized that the US Coast Guard worked closely with the Department of War, Department of State, and Department of Justice to ensure a “safe, effective boarding consistent with law” when seizing this tanker linked to Venezuela.
Video Evidence of the Operation
Kristi Noem shared footage of the operation on social media, providing visual confirmation of the seizure of the tanker linked to Venezuela. The video shows US troops aboard the vessel with weapons in their hands, taking control of the ship in international waters.
The released footage serves multiple purposes: demonstrating American military capability, warning other vessels considering similar actions, and providing transparency about operations targeting tankers linked to Venezuela. The imagery shows the professionalism and coordination of US forces during the boarding operation.
Ghost Fleet Operations Under Scrutiny
The seized tanker linked to Venezuela is part of what American authorities describe as a “ghost fleet” – vessels that operate with obscured ownership, false documentation, and deliberate attempts to evade international sanctions. These ships typically employ various tactics to hide their activities and origins.
Noem declared, “The ghost fleets will not outrun justice. They will not hide under false claims of nationality,” sending a clear message to operators of tankers linked to Venezuela and other sanctioned entities. This statement indicates a zero-tolerance policy toward vessels attempting to circumvent US sanctions through deceptive practices.
Pattern of Recent Seizures
This marks the fifth tanker linked to Venezuela that US forces have seized in recent weeks, indicating a systematic operation to enforce the naval blockade. The frequency of these seizures suggests increased American surveillance and interdiction capabilities in the Caribbean region.
The pattern of seizures targeting tankers linked to Venezuela demonstrates Washington’s commitment to maintaining economic pressure on the Venezuelan government through oil export restrictions. Each successful interdiction disrupts revenue streams that American policymakers view as supporting activities contrary to US interests.
Justification and Future Operations
The Department of Homeland Security indicated that seizures of tankers linked to Venezuela will continue in the future. Officials stated that the US Coast Guard will seize oil tankers carrying sanctioned oil, enforce US and international law, and “eliminate these funding streams for illicit activity including narco-terrorism.”
This justification frames the seizure of tankers linked to Venezuela as part of broader security objectives beyond simple sanctions enforcement. By connecting these operations to counternarcotics and counterterrorism efforts, US authorities broaden the rationale for their actions in the Caribbean.
Interagency Coordination
The operation against this tanker linked to Venezuela required significant interagency coordination. A spokesperson from the US Southern Command confirmed that while the Department of Homeland Security led the operation, it received support from Navy and Marine Corps forces.
This collaborative approach to seizing tankers linked to Venezuela demonstrates the United States’ whole-of-government strategy for sanctions enforcement. The involvement of multiple agencies ensures operations have proper legal authority, military capability, and diplomatic backing.
Maritime Dominance Statement
Kristi Noem concluded her announcement by praising the Coast Guard’s performance, stating, “We are deeply proud of the Coast Guard’s maritime fighting force for their relentless execution of this mission. This is owning the sea.”
This statement regarding operations against tankers linked to Venezuela signals American intent to maintain maritime superiority in the Western Hemisphere. The phrase “owning the sea” suggests comprehensive control over shipping lanes used for sanctioned oil transport.
International Law Considerations
The seizure of tankers linked to Venezuela in international waters raises questions about jurisdictional authority and legal precedent. US officials emphasize that all boarding operations comply with both American and international law, though the specifics of legal justification remain subject to interpretation.
Implications for Venezuela
The continued seizure of tankers linked to Venezuela compounds economic pressures facing the South American nation. Each intercepted vessel represents lost revenue and demonstrates the difficulty of circumventing American sanctions through maritime means.
As the fifth such seizure in recent weeks, this operation against a tanker linked to Venezuela underscores Washington’s determination to maintain its embargo effectiveness despite creative evasion attempts by sanctioned entities and their commercial partners.
