US forces seize oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea in pre-dawn mission

Fox News - WorldEN 2 min read 100% complete by Rachel WolfJanuary 9, 2026 at 03:14 PM

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U.S. forces seized the oil tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea on Friday in a pre-dawn operation. The U.S. Southern Command stated the seizure was part of Operation Southern Spear, aimed at combating illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere. The Olina, flying the flag of Timor-Leste, was reportedly involved in transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil and had previously been sanctioned by the U.S. for transporting Russian oil. The vessel's location tracker was last active 52 days prior in the Venezuelan EEZ. This is the fifth such seizure in recent weeks of tankers linked to sanctioned oil shipments. U.S. Homeland Security officials stated the seizure sends a message to criminals attempting to evade U.S. forces.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Timor-Leste 40% Kristi Noem ×240% Russia ×240% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) 50% USS Gerald R. Ford 60% Venezuela ×460% Department of Homeland Security 70% Caribbean Sea ×270% U.S. Southern Command ×380% Motor/Tanker Olina ×685% United States ×1090%

Keywords

oil tanker seizure 100% sanctioned oil shipments 80% caribbean sea 70% u.s. southern command 70% venezuelan oil 60% illicit activity 60% russian oil 50% operation southern spear 50% maritime security 40%

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Fox News - World

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90%

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United States

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oil tanker seizure sanctioned oil shipments caribbean sea u.s. southern command venezuelan oil illicit activity russian oil operation southern spear maritime security

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