Motor Vessel Sagitta

The Motor Vessel Sagitta is an oil tanker recently seized by United States military forces in the Caribbean Sea. This action is part of a broader US effort, initiated in January 2026 under the Trump administration, to exert control over Venezuela's oil production and sale. The Sagitta is the seventh tanker apprehended for allegedly violating US sanctions related to Venezuelan oil. US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) oversaw the operation, stating the vessel was seized "without incident." The US asserts these actions are necessary to combat illicit activity and enforce sanctions in the Western Hemisphere. The seizures highlight the ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela and the US's commitment to controlling Venezuelan oil flows.