US military forces boarded the oil tanker Olina in a pre-dawn operation near Trinidad on Friday, marking the fifth seizure of a vessel linked to Venezuelan oil shipments in recent weeks. The operation was carried out by US Marines and Navy sailors from the USS Gerald R Ford, according to US Southern Command.
The Trump administration has intensified efforts to control the distribution of Venezuelan oil products globally following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in a raid on Caracas less than a week ago. The Olina was targeted as part of a campaign against sanctions-busting vessels, with US officials stating that the ship was part of a 'ghost fleet' operating with false registration.
The vessel, which had departed Venezuela fully loaded with oil, was flying a false flag of Timor Leste and had been running dark with its location beacon turned off for 52 days, according to maritime risk management company Vanguard. The US Coast Guard led the seizure, supported by the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the ship was intercepted in international waters, warning that 'the ghost fleets will not outrun justice.' The Olina has a cargo capacity of up to 890,000 barrels of oil, valued at around $53 million at current market prices.
Meanwhile, Venezuela's government acknowledged that US diplomats had traveled to Caracas to discuss reopening the embassy. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil announced plans to send a delegation to the US for exploratory diplomatic talks, though no date was given.
