In a predawn maritime operation on Friday, U.S. military forces conducted a strategic boarding of the oil tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea. The intervention represents the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s comprehensive campaign to control Venezuela’s oil production and distribution networks while enforcing international sanctions.
According to U.S. Southern Command, the operation involved Marines and Navy sailors deployed from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, part of a substantial naval presence built up in the Caribbean region over recent months. The Coast Guard subsequently assumed control of the vessel following the initial seizure. Unclassified footage released by military authorities and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem depicted a U.S. helicopter landing on the tanker’s deck, with personnel conducting thorough searches and deploying what appeared to be explosive breaching devices.
The Olina represents the fifth tanker intercepted by U.S. forces as part of Washington’s strategy to regulate Venezuela’s oil exports, and the third such seizure since the U.S. recognized the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Secretary Noem characterized the vessel as belonging to the so-called ‘ghost fleet’ of tankers attempting to transport embargoed petroleum products while evading detection.
President Trump announced via social media that the operation was conducted ‘in coordination with the Interim Authorities of Venezuela,’ though the White House provided no additional details regarding this collaboration. The Venezuelan government subsequently acknowledged cooperating with U.S. authorities to return the tanker, which they stated had departed without proper authorization or payment.
Maritime intelligence analysts from TankerTrackers.com identified at least 16 vessels that have departed Venezuela’s coast in violation of the U.S.-imposed quarantine blocking sanctioned ships from conducting trade. The Olina, previously sanctioned for moving Russian oil under the name Minerva M, was reportedly flying a false flag of Timor-Leste despite being registered to a Hong Kong-based company. The vessel had been operating with its location beacon disabled since November.
The administration has framed these seizures as both a law enforcement measure and an economic strategy. Officials anticipate selling 30-50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil, with proceeds designated for both American and Venezuelan interests. President Trump met with oil executives Friday to discuss a proposed $100 billion investment plan to rebuild Venezuela’s energy infrastructure, while Vice President JD Vance emphasized the U.S. could control Venezuela’s ‘purse strings’ by dictating oil distribution channels.
Industry experts estimate the Olina was carrying approximately 707,000 barrels of oil valued at over $42 million at current market prices.