U.S. seizes fifth tanker in Caribbean as Venezuela oil blockade intensifies

Reuters reported the information.

The U.S. seized the Olina tanker in the Caribbean on Friday, the fifth vessel targeted in recent weeks as authorities ramp up enforcement of sanctions against Venezuelan oil shipments, according to U.S. officials.

In a pre-dawn operation, marines and sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, deployed from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, apprehended the Olina in Caribbean waters "without incident," U.S. Southern Command announced on social media platform X.

"Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: 'there is no safe haven for criminals,'" the command stated.

The Olina had departed Venezuela last week fully loaded with oil as part of a flotilla, shortly after U.S. forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, according to an industry source with direct knowledge of the situation. The vessel was reportedly returning to Venezuela with its cargo following the U.S. blockade implementation.

According to public shipping records, the tanker was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste. British maritime risk management firm Vanguard noted that "the vessel's AIS tracker was last active 52 days ago in the Venezuelan EEZ, northeast of Curacao."

"The seizure follows a prolonged pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the region," Vanguard added.

Washington imposed sanctions on the Olina in January of last year, when it operated under the name Minerva M, designating it as part of the so-called shadow fleet of vessels that operate with minimal regulation or known insurance coverage.

The M Sophia, another tanker from the same flotilla of approximately a dozen vessels that departed Venezuela earlier this month, was seized by U.S. forces earlier this week.

The industry source revealed that three vessels from the flotilla—Skylyn, Min Hang and Merope—all fully loaded, returned to Venezuelan waters on Thursday. Seven additional tankers, also carrying full cargos, were expected to sail back to Venezuela on Friday and Saturday.

All of the oil aboard these ten tankers is owned by Venezuelan state producer PDVSA, the source said. PDVSA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

It remains unclear whether Washington will take action against the other tankers heading toward Venezuela.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized on Wednesday that the U.S. blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil remains in full effect "anywhere in the world."