U.S. Seizes Fifth Tanker in Venezuela

(MENAFN) The United States Coast Guard intercepted and boarded a fifth oil tanker early Friday, escalating Washington’s campaign to enforce sanctions on Venezuelan crude exports, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Noem said the Coast Guard carried out the boarding and seizure of the motor tanker Olina in international waters to the east of the Caribbean Sea. She explained that the vessel was suspected of being part of a so-called “ghost fleet” involved in transporting oil under embargo.

In a post on the U.S.-based social media platform X, Noem said the tanker had departed from Venezuela and was allegedly attempting to evade U.S. authorities while carrying sanctioned oil. She emphasized that such efforts would not succeed.

The operation was conducted with assistance from several federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the State Department, and the Justice Department. Noem said this coordinated approach ensured the action was carried out safely and in full compliance with U.S. and international law.

“The ghost fleets will not outrun justice,” Noem said, adding that vessels attempting to disguise their identity or nationality would still be held accountable.

Separately, the U.S. military’s Southern Command confirmed that the mission was launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and that the tanker was detained in the Caribbean Sea without any resistance or incident.

Southern Command added that the operation reinforced Washington’s message that there are no safe havens for those involved in illicit maritime activities.

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