The vessel, identified as Olina, was intercepted during the early hours of the morning in the waters of the Caribbean Sea.
MIAMI.- The United States once again hit the oil circuit linked to Venezuela with the seizure of a new tanker, as part of its offensive to stop the movement of crude oil to and from the South American country.
The vessel, identified as Olina, was intercepted during the early hours of the morning in the waters of the Caribbean Sea in a joint operation by the US Coast Guard and Joint Task Force Southern Spear, two US government officials confirmed to NBC News.
The US Army ratified the action through a message on social network where he assured that he remains “firm in his mission to protect the homeland, dismantle illicit activities and restore security in the Western Hemisphere.”
For her part, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, described the Olina as another oil tanker belonging to the so-called “ghost fleet,” used to transport oil under sanctions. According to Noem, the ship had left Venezuela with the intention of evading US authorities. “These ghost fleets will not escape justice nor will they be able to hide under false flags,” wrote.
Investigations by Lloyd’s List Intelligence reveal that the Olina was fraudulently registered in East Timor, a common practice among ships seeking to hide their true origin and activity.
With this action, there are now five oil tankers confiscated by the United States in recent weeks. The case occurs shortly after the takeover of the Bella 1, a Russian-flagged ship that attempted to evade a US blockade and was pursued for several weeks in the North Atlantic. In addition, Washington recently announced the seizure of the oil tanker Sophia, also sanctioned, for carrying out illicit operations in the Caribbean.
The US Southern Command noted that these operations are fully supported by the Navy Amphibious Readiness Group, which includes platforms such as the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio and USS Fort Lauderdale, sending a clear message: “There is no safe haven for criminals.”
According to the agency Reutersthe Olina had set sail from Venezuela last week and was sailing under the false flag of Timor-Leste. The seizure is part of President Donald Trump’s strategy to restrict Venezuelan oil exports and increase pressure on the country’s energy sector.
In parallel, US forces also took control this week of two Russian-flagged oil tankers in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean, both linked to the Venezuelan oil industry.
These actions occur in a context of high political tension, following the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro last weekend. Delcy Rodríguez took over as interim leader and, although she condemned Maduro’s arrest, has expressed a willingness to explore energy relations with the United States.
