US seizes fifth sanctioned tanker to control Venezuelan oil distribution

U.S. military forces conducted a predawn raid on an oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, marking the fifth such interception as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to exert control over Venezuela’s oil industry. The operation, led by Marines and Navy sailors from the USS Gerald R. Ford, was part of a larger campaign to target vessels transporting oil to and from Venezuela, a country facing political turmoil and economic challenges.

Both U.S. Southern Command and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared footage on social media of the raid, showing U.S. personnel landing on the tanker and conducting searches. The tanker, named the Olina, was suspected of carrying embargoed oil from Venezuela and was attempting to avoid U.S. forces. This seizure was part of a broader strategy to control the production, refining, and distribution of Venezuela’s oil products following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro.

The White House, in a statement, confirmed that the U.S. coordinated the seizure with interim authorities in Venezuela, aiming to protect the ship and take appropriate actions. Venezuela’s government, on the other hand, admitted that the tanker had left without authorization and was cooperating with U.S. authorities for its safe return.

According to Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, satellite imagery and photos revealed that multiple tankers had violated the quarantine set up by U.S. forces to block sanctioned ships from trading. The Olina, previously known as Minerva M, had been noted for transporting Russian oil and displayed a false flag registration under the flag of Timor-Leste.

President Trump’s administration sees the seizure as a means to generate revenue and rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry and economy. Trump emphasized the collaboration between the U.S. and Venezuela in upgrading the oil and gas infrastructure, projecting sales of sanctioned Venezuelan oil to benefit both nations economically. The administration envisions a significant investment in Venezuela to modernize its oil operations and distribution network.

Vice President JD Vance outlined the administration’s strategy to exert control over Venezuela’s finances by dictating the sale of its oil. Madani estimated that the Olina was loaded with over 700,000 barrels of oil, valued at millions of dollars. The seizure of the tanker and the planned sale of Venezuelan oil mark a significant step in the Trump administration’s efforts to shape Venezuela’s economic landscape.