The U.S. military has seized its fifth oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, intensifying efforts to disrupt Venezuelan oil exports. On January 9, 2026, Marines and sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear executed a pre-dawn operation to apprehend the tanker named Olina. This operation was announced by the U.S. Southern Command on its social media platform.
The Department of Homeland Security coordinated the seizure, supported by the Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group, which included the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale. According to the command’s statement, the operation was conducted without incident, highlighting the ongoing commitment to curtail illegal oil shipments.
Details of the Seizure
The Olina was reportedly flying a false flag from Timor-Leste and had departed from Venezuela fully loaded with oil as part of a flotilla. Industry sources indicate that the vessel’s location tracker had been inactive for 52 days while it was in Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone, northeast of Curaçao. The tanker was previously sanctioned by Washington in January 2024 when it operated under the name Minerva M.
The operation sends a strong message, as emphasized by U.S. Southern Command: “Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: ‘there is no safe haven for criminals.’” According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the Olina is considered another “ghost fleet” tanker suspected of carrying embargoed oil.
Impact on Venezuelan Oil Exports
This seizure is part of a broader strategy to enforce U.S. sanctions against Venezuelan oil. Reports indicate that three other vessels from the same flotilla returned to Venezuelan waters shortly before the seizure. Additionally, seven more tankers were scheduled to return within the following days. The Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA owns all the oil aboard these ten vessels, further complicating the situation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed the commitment of the U.S. to enforce the blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil, stating, “The U.S. blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil remains in full effect anywhere in the world.”
As the U.S. continues to target these operations, the implications for global oil markets and Venezuela’s economy remain significant. The ongoing crackdown reflects a determined stance by Washington as it navigates the complexities of international maritime law and sanctions enforcement.