The United States has seized another oil tanker as part of its expanding naval campaign to enforce sanctions on Venezuela, bringing the total number of intercepted vessels to five in recent weeks. American officials say the latest operation underscores Washington’s determination to shut down illicit oil shipments and tighten pressure on Caracas.
Crackdown on Venezuela’s ‘Ghost Fleet’
The seized vessel, the Olina, was described by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as part of a “ghost fleet” suspected of carrying embargoed oil. These ships are accused of masking their ownership and falsifying nationality records to evade sanctions.
According to U.S. officials, the tanker departed Venezuela and attempted to avoid detection before being intercepted at sea. Noem said the operation sent a clear message that vessels attempting to bypass restrictions would be pursued and stopped.
Military Operation at Sea
The seizure was carried out in a coordinated pre-dawn operation involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps. Personnel launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest warship, and secured the tanker using helicopter-borne teams.
U.S. Southern Command later released footage of the operation, showing troops rappelling onto the deck and taking control of the vessel. The command said the action was part of a broader effort to deny “safe haven” to criminal networks operating in the region.
Rising Tensions and Long-Term Plans
The seizure comes amid a growing U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean, ordered by President Donald Trump following his announcement of a blockade on sanctioned oil shipments to and from Venezuela. Earlier this week, U.S. forces also detained a Russia-linked tanker, prompting condemnation from Moscow.
Trump has suggested the United States could play a direct role in managing Venezuela’s oil resources for years to come, telling The New York Times that American oversight could last far longer than a short-term intervention. For now, the capture of the Olina signals that Washington’s maritime enforcement campaign is only intensifying.
