The U.S. forces have seized a fifth oil tanker linked to Venezuela, continuing the Trump administration’s crackdown on illicit oil shipments tied to the Maduro regime.
U.S. Southern Command said the Coast Guard, backed by the Navy, intercepted the tanker Olina in the Caribbean during a pre-dawn operation.
Marines and sailors launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford supported the seizure as part of efforts to curb illegal activity in the Western Hemisphere.
Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: “there is no safe haven for criminals.”
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 9, 2026
In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R.… pic.twitter.com/StHo4ufcdx
Officials said the Olina is part of a shadow fleet used to move oil from sanctioned countries. Earlier this week, U.S. forces seized two other Venezuela-linked tankers in the Caribbean and the North Atlantic.
U.S. Seizes Fifth Oil Tanker Linked To Venezuelahttps://t.co/tUut48iTEe pic.twitter.com/wszy1S4QgR
— Forbes (@Forbes) January 9, 2026
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the vessel attempted to evade U.S. forces and vowed continued enforcement against sanctioned oil trafficking.
The world’s criminals are on notice.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 9, 2026
Early this morning, the @USCG executed a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Olina in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea. As another "ghost fleet" tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil, this vessel had departed… pic.twitter.com/vvS3u3nrvl
Venezuela’s former leader Nicolás Maduro has denied wrongdoing and accused the U.S. of stealing national resources.
President Donald Trump has said Venezuela’s oil sector could be rebuilt with major private investment following recent U.S. actions.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
