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U.S. forces seized a fifth oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Friday, intensifying the Trump administration’s efforts to control Venezuela’s oil resources following the ouster of President Nicolás Maduro.
Marines and Navy sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford conducted the pre-dawn operation, boarding the tanker Olina, according to U.S. Southern Command. The Coast Guard subsequently took control of the vessel.
“There is no safe haven for criminals,” Southern Command declared when announcing the seizure. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared unclassified footage showing a U.S. helicopter landing on the vessel and personnel searching the deck, even deploying what appeared to be an explosive device to gain entry to the ship’s interior.
Noem described the Olina as “another ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil” that had departed Venezuela “attempting to evade U.S. forces.”
The operation marks the fifth tanker seizure by American forces in a broader campaign to control the production, refining, and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products since U.S. forces removed Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid.
Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, reported that his organization had documented at least 16 tankers leaving Venezuelan waters in violation of the U.S. naval quarantine established to block sanctioned vessels from conducting trade. The Olina was part of this flotilla.
U.S. government records indicate the Olina was previously sanctioned under its former name, Minerva M, for transporting Russian oil while flying Panama’s flag. Though currently claiming to sail under the flag of Timor-Leste, international shipping registries list the Olina as having a false flag—meaning its claimed registration is invalid. In July, the vessel’s ownership and management were transferred to a Hong Kong-based company.
Ship tracking databases show the Olina last transmitted its location in November while in Caribbean waters north of Venezuela. Since then, the vessel has been operating with its location beacon disabled—a tactic often employed by ships attempting to evade detection.
While military officials framed the seizure as law enforcement, other administration figures have been more explicit about the economic motivations. The Trump administration views these seizures as a way to generate revenue for rebuilding Venezuela’s oil industry and economy.
“The U.S. and Venezuela are working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure,” Trump wrote on his social media platform.
The administration plans to sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil, dividing the proceeds between the United States and Venezuelan people. This arrangement appears set to continue indefinitely, with Trump meeting executives from 17 oil companies on Friday to discuss his ambitious goal of directing $100 billion in investments to repair and upgrade Venezuela’s petroleum infrastructure.
Vice President JD Vance underscored the strategic dimension of this policy in a Fox News interview, stating that the U.S. can “control” Venezuela’s “purse strings” by dictating where its oil can be sold.
The Olina reportedly carries approximately 707,000 barrels of oil, valued at more than $42 million at current market prices of around $60 per barrel, according to Madani’s estimates.
The seizure comes amid growing international concern about the United States’ unilateral actions in Venezuela. Energy market analysts note that these interventions could significantly impact global oil prices if they succeed in bringing Venezuela’s substantial reserves—the largest proven oil reserves in the world—under effective U.S. influence.
Critics have questioned the legality of these maritime interdictions under international law, while supporters argue they represent legitimate enforcement of sanctions against the former Maduro regime and its allies.
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10 Comments
The US seizure of this sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker is a bold move, but one that aligns with their efforts to tighten the screws on Maduro’s regime. However, these actions could have broader geopolitical and economic repercussions that the administration will need to carefully consider.
Absolutely. The US is walking a fine line here, trying to exert control over Venezuela’s oil while avoiding further escalation of tensions. It will be crucial to monitor how this situation unfolds in the coming weeks and months.
The US interdiction of these tankers is certainly controversial, but it does align with their stated goal of ousting Maduro and tightening their grip on Venezuela’s oil industry. However, the legality and long-term effectiveness of these actions remain to be seen.
You raise a fair point. The US government will need to carefully navigate the legal and diplomatic ramifications of these seizures. Unilateral actions like this could further strain relations with US allies.
Interesting move by the US to seize another sanctioned tanker carrying Venezuelan oil. This suggests the administration is doubling down on its efforts to control the country’s energy resources and distribution. It will be important to monitor how this plays out geopolitically.
I agree, this escalation could have significant implications for the region. The US seems determined to exert its influence over Venezuela’s oil sector by any means necessary.
The US interdiction of this Venezuelan oil tanker is a significant development in their ongoing campaign to undermine the Maduro government and assert control over the country’s energy resources. While the legality of these actions is questionable, the administration appears determined to pursue this strategy, even at the risk of diplomatic fallout.
You make a good point. The US seems willing to take unilateral action, even if it means further straining relations with other countries. It will be important to see how this situation evolves and what the broader implications might be for global energy markets and geopolitics.
This appears to be part of the broader US strategy to undermine the Maduro regime by restricting Venezuela’s ability to export its oil. While the legality of these interdictions is questionable, the administration is clearly willing to take an aggressive posture to control the country’s energy resources.
Agreed. The US is clearly flexing its muscle in the region and demonstrating its willingness to take unilateral action, even if it means straining relations with other countries. It will be important to see how this impacts global energy markets going forward.