The United States has intensified its naval operations in the Caribbean, recently seizing the tanker Olina, which attempted to breach an American naval blockade set up to prevent sanctioned vessels from navigating to or from Venezuela. This marks the fifth vessel apprehended by US forces in recent weeks amid heightened efforts to combat illegal activities and enforce sanctions against the Venezuelan government.
According to US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the Olina is part of what she referred to as a “ghost fleet” of tanker ships believed to be transporting embargoed oil. Noem emphasized that these vessels are attempting to evade US enforcement, stating, “The ghost fleets will not outrun justice. They will not hide under false claims of nationality.” The Coast Guard executed the seizure, with significant involvement from US Marines and Navy personnel who launched the operation from the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier.
US Southern Command (Southcom) underscored the success of the operation, conveying a strong message regarding the zero-tolerance approach toward criminal activities in the region. A video shared by Southcom depicted US forces descending from a helicopter to take command of the vessel, reinforcing their readiness to confront illegal maritime operations.
In a subsequent announcement, former President Donald Trump indicated that the seizure was coordinated with interim Venezuelan authorities, following the ship’s departure from the country without US approval. He further stated that the confiscated tanker will be returned to Venezuela, where its oil is expected to be sold.
Notably, Trump’s recent declaration of a “blockade” against sanctioned oil vessels traveling to and from Venezuela has underscored a more aggressive stance by the US government. This strategy has resulted in the capture of five ships in total, including three within the same week. Among these was a vessel linked to Russia that was intercepted in the North Atlantic shortly before the news of the Olina’s seizure broke. The Russian government condemned the operation, which was prompted after US forces tracked the ship from off the coast of Venezuela. Trump disclosed that during the operation, the tanker was being escorted by a Russian submarine and destroyer, both of which departed the scene promptly upon the US arrival.
The escalating series of operations reflects a significant commitment by the US to regulate maritime activities in connection to Venezuela and to disrupt any attempts to circumvent international sanctions related to the Maduro regime.
