In a dramatic escalation of maritime enforcement, United States military forces have boarded and seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea. The pre-dawn operation on Friday marks the fifth such seizure as the Trump administration intensifies its campaign to control the flow of Venezuelan oil.
Dramatic Raid on the High Seas
The seizure was carried out by U.S. Marines and Navy sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. According to U.S. Southern Command, the operation targeted the tanker named the Olina. Unclassified footage shared on social media by Southern Command and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem showed a U.S. helicopter landing on the vessel and personnel searching the deck. The footage also appeared to show personnel tossing an explosive device in front of a door leading inside the ship.
Secretary Noem stated the ship was "another 'ghost fleet' tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil" and had departed Venezuela "attempting to evade U.S. forces." Following the raid, the U.S. Coast Guard took control of the vessel.
A Broader Strategy for Venezuelan Oil
This action is a direct component of the Trump administration's strategy following the U.S. ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The goal is to take command of the production, refining, and global distribution of Venezuela's oil. In a social media post, President Donald Trump said the seizure was conducted "in coordination with the Interim Authorities of Venezuela," though no further details were provided.
Administration officials have framed the seizures as both a law enforcement action and a financial mechanism. The U.S. expects to sell 30 million to 50 million barrels of seized, sanctioned Venezuelan oil, with proceeds intended for both American and Venezuelan citizens. President Trump has expressed a long-term vision, meeting with executives from 17 oil companies to discuss a goal of investing $100 billion to repair and upgrade Venezuela's oil infrastructure.
The Elusive "Ghost Fleet"
Shipping analysts indicate the challenge facing U.S. forces. Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, reported that satellite imagery shows at least 16 tankers left the Venezuelan coast recently, defying the U.S. quarantine. The Olina was part of that flotilla.
Investigations into the Olina reveal a complex history of evasion. U.S. records show the vessel was previously sanctioned under the name Minerva M for moving Russian oil. While currently flying the flag of Timor-Leste, it is listed in international registries as having a false flag, meaning its registration is invalid. The ship's last transmitted location was in November north of the Venezuelan coast; since then, it had been running "dark" with its location beacon disabled.
With this latest seizure, the U.S. military has sent a stark message, declaring "there is no safe haven for criminals" in the Caribbean. The operation underscores the ongoing geopolitical and economic battle over Venezuela's vast oil resources, with significant implications for global energy markets and regional stability.
