The United States intercepted the tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea during an operation conducted "in coordination with Venezuela’s Provisional Authorities," as revealed by President Donald J. Trump on Truth Social.
In his statement, Trump asserted that the vessel had departed from Venezuela "without our approval" and that it is being returned to Venezuela. The oil will be sold through the "great Energy Deal" established by his administration for such transactions.
The seizure of the Olina occurred at dawn and was carried out by U.S. marines and sailors, as part of Washington's renewed offensive against the so-called "ghost fleet" associated with sanctioned Venezuelan crude oil exports.
U.S. Military Operation Details
According to the U.S. Southern Command, the interdiction was completed "without incident" by the Joint Task Force Southern Spear, launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, as stated in their report.
The institution released images showing a helicopter landing on the deck of the vessel while marines conducted a visual inspection.
Background on the Olina
The operation against the Olina marks the fifth such action in recent weeks against ships linked to the transportation of Venezuelan oil. The tanker was intercepted in the Caribbean near Trinidad, according to a U.S. official and a maritime industry source.
The document indicates that the Olina had previously operated under the name Minerva M and had been under sanctions since January of the previous year, identified as part of networks of vessels used to evade restrictions.
Additionally, the public maritime database Equasis noted that the ship falsely flew the flag of Timor Leste.
Tracking and Return to Venezuelan Waters
The ship's AIS tracker had been inactive for over 50 days, with its last recorded position within the Venezuelan exclusive economic zone, northeast of Curacao, according to Reuters.
Furthermore, it is described that the Olina was part of a flotilla of at least a dozen vessels that began turning back to Venezuelan waters following the intensification of the U.S. campaign.
The seizure aligns with the Trump administration's policy of imposing stricter control over the distribution of Venezuelan oil, following recent political developments in the country and the tightening of sanctions.
Insights on the Seizure of the Olina
Why was the Olina tanker seized by the United States?
The Olina tanker was seized as part of the U.S. government's efforts to crack down on the transportation of Venezuelan oil under sanctions. The operation was conducted to prevent unauthorized oil exports from Venezuela.
What was the role of the U.S. Southern Command in this operation?
The U.S. Southern Command executed the interdiction operation through the Joint Task Force Southern Spear, which was launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. The operation was completed without any incidents.
How was the Olina identified as a target for interception?
The Olina was identified as part of a network of vessels used to evade sanctions. It had previously operated under a different name and had been under sanctions since the previous year.