Early Friday morning, the United States seized the oil tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea. This operation, involving U.S. Marines and sailors, marks a renewed offensive against Venezuela's so-called "phantom fleet."
The tanker, which departed fully loaded with crude oil from the South American nation, was intercepted "without incident" by the Joint Task Force Southern Spear, launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, according to the U.S. Southern Command.
"Once again, our interagency forces delivered a clear message this morning: 'there is no safe haven for criminals,'" stated the Southern Command on social media platform X, quoting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Images released by the Southern Command depicted a U.S. helicopter descending onto the Olina's deck as Marines conducted a visual inspection of the vessel.
The Strategic Message: U.S. Asserts Maritime Dominance
While the Coast Guard's involvement, common in previous operations, remains unconfirmed, the political and military message is evident: the United States is reaffirming its maritime authority in the region and its commitment to disrupting the flow of Venezuelan oil under sanctions.
The operation, as detailed by Reuters and AP, took place at dawn and is part of a broader campaign initiated by the Trump administration to exert strict control over the global distribution of Venezuelan oil.
This seizure occurs against a backdrop of tightened sanctions following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3rd.
Crackdown on the Phantom Fleet
The Olina is the fifth sanctioned tanker intercepted by U.S. forces in recent weeks. Previously known as Minerva M, the tanker has been under sanctions since January last year when Washington identified it as part of a network of ships comprising the "phantom fleet."
These vessels operate without clear regulation, with minimal or no insurance, and often use flags of convenience. According to the public maritime database Equasis, the Olina was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste.
Having departed Venezuela laden with crude, it was returning to the region as part of a flotilla of at least a dozen vessels, all destined for Venezuela. Reuters reported that the ship's AIS tracker had been inactive for over 50 days, with its last known position in Venezuela's exclusive economic zone, northeast of Curaçao.
"This seizure follows a prolonged pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the region," stated British risk management firm Vanguard.
Phantom Flotilla Retreats
The Olina wasn't the only vessel under U.S. scrutiny. Other tankers in the same flotilla began returning to Venezuelan waters. According to an industry source cited by Reuters, three of them—Skylyn, Min Hang, and Merope—had already turned back on Thursday, while seven additional ships loaded with Venezuelan crude were expected to return on Friday and Saturday.
Additionally, another ship, the M Sophia, part of the same flotilla, was seized by U.S. forces earlier this week. All these vessels carry crude owned by Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA, which did not comment when contacted by the media.
The U.S. offensive aims to choke off Venezuelan oil export routes, even as these attempts are masked under clandestine means. "The U.S. blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil remains in full effect 'anywhere in the world,'" emphasized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday.
This operation unfolds amid the political collapse of Maduro's regime, overthrown in an unprecedented nighttime operation and currently under U.S. custody. Since then, U.S. foreign policy has pivoted towards establishing a new order in Venezuela by blocking the routes that previously economically sustained the former government.
What Lies Ahead?
It's still uncertain whether Washington will seize the other tankers heading back to Venezuela. However, the pattern suggests that the United States is unwilling to tolerate sanctions violations anywhere.
The operation against Olina and the other vessels in Venezuela's phantom fleet serves as a direct warning to shipping companies, insurers, and nations that collaborate—directly or indirectly—with the previous regime's oil exports.
The persistent use of false flags, deactivation of tracking systems, and navigation in low-surveillance areas are no longer adequate to evade U.S. controls. With each new seizure, Washington expands the reach of its sanctions policy, clearly showing that in the Caribbean's geopolitical landscape, Venezuela's shadow fleet is under increasingly precise scrutiny.
Understanding U.S. Actions Against Venezuela's Oil Exports
Why is the U.S. seizing Venezuelan oil tankers?
The U.S. is seizing Venezuelan oil tankers to enforce sanctions and block the flow of oil that supports the former Venezuelan regime economically. This is part of a larger strategy to assert control over Venezuela's oil distribution globally.
What is Venezuela's "phantom fleet"?
Venezuela's "phantom fleet" refers to a network of ships that operate without clear regulation, often using false flags and turning off tracking systems to evade detection while transporting Venezuelan oil.
How does the U.S. interception of the Olina affect international relations?
The interception of the Olina underscores the U.S. commitment to enforcing sanctions against Venezuela and serves as a warning to other nations and entities involved in the illicit trade of Venezuelan oil. It highlights the geopolitical tensions in the Caribbean region.