U.S. seizes fifth oil tanker tied to Venezuela in Caribbean

Time reports the United States seized another oil tanker overnight in the Caribbean Sea, the fifth vessel taken in recent weeks as the Trump Administration intensifies efforts to choke off Venezuela’s oil exports. The vessel, the Olina, was boarded and taken into U.S. custody early Friday in an operation carried out by the Coast Guard and Joint Task Force Southern Spear, the military said on social media, calling the action part of an “unwavering” campaign to “end illicit activity and restore security in the Western Hemisphere.” Reuters cited shipping records and industry officials saying the Olina had recently sailed from Venezuelan waters and returned after attempting to move oil amid the blockade and was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste.

The tanker, previously known as the Minerva M, was sanctioned by the United States last year for an alleged role in the so‑called shadow fleet. U.S. officials have seized several other tankers recently, including the Bella 1 (which U.S. officials said had changed its name to the Marinera and raised a Russian flag) and the Sophia, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the blockade applied “anywhere in the world,” a statement that shipping companies and Venezuela’s allies have protested.

President Donald Trump told Fox News that Russia briefly dispatched a submarine and destroyer to protect one vessel but withdrew once U.S.

Key Topics

World, Olina, Coast Guard, Southern Spear, Venezuela, Shadow Fleet