US seizes fifth oil tanker as Venezuela pressure campaign continues

Operation comes days after US seized Russian-flagged tanker; US pledges to continue blockade following Maduro abduction.Published On 9 Jan 2026The United States military has seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean, as it continues to target vessels sanctioned by Washington in its pressure campaign against Venezuela.In a statement on Friday, the US military Southern Command said its forces had “apprehended” the Olina tanker “without incident”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Trump says he wants to free up Venezuelan oil flow. What was blocking it?list 2 of 3US seizes two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in Caribbean, North Atlanticlist 3 of 3White House: Seized tankers violated sanctions, crews can be prosecutedend of listIt did not say why the tanker was targeted or offer further details on alleged violations. The Wall Street Journal reported the tanker had previously been sanctioned by Washington for transporting Russian oil.The operation comes two days after US forces seized two oil tankers, including the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker, originally known as the Bella-1.The US Department of Justice has since said it was investigating the crew of the ship, which was seized in the northern Atlantic, for failing to comply with coastguard orders and would pursue charges.Russia has decried the seizure as a “gross violation” of international maritime law and called on the US to release the crew.Since US military forces abducted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, Washington has pledged to maintain its blockade on sanctioned oil tankers. It has also called on Venezuela to staunch its ties with Russia and China.US President Donald Trump has said the operation against Maduro – which has been roundly condemned as a flagrant violation of international law – as well as the continued sanctions and military pressure, is aimed at opening the country’s vast oil reserves to US companies.