Olina

The Olina is an oil tanker that has become a focal point in the ongoing US efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports. In January 2026, US forces intercepted and seized the Olina in the Caribbean Sea near Trinidad. This action marks the fifth such interdiction of oil tankers in recent weeks as part of Washington's pressure campaign against Venezuela. The US military, through its Southern Command, stated that the seizure sends a clear message against those attempting to circumvent sanctions. Public shipping databases indicate that the Olina was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste. The seizure of the Olina highlights the escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela regarding oil exports and the US's commitment to enforcing sanctions against the country.