US intercepts fifth sanctioned oil tanker

In the Caribbean on January 9, 2026, US forces intercepted and seized the Olina, marking the fifth oil tanker seized by the United States. The operation, conducted by US Marines and Navy forces, occurred in the pre-dawn hours. The seizure is part of Washington's increased enforcement efforts against sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments. The US government has not yet released further details regarding the tanker's origin, destination, or the parties involved in the alleged sanctioned activity. The US continues to monitor and interdict vessels suspected of violating sanctions related to Venezuelan oil.

U.S. forces seized the Olina, a fifth oil tanker linked to Venezuela, in the Caribbean Sea, as part of ongoing efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports. The U.S. Southern Command and Department of Homeland Security coordinated the seizure, alleging the tanker was attempting to evade U.S. forces after departing Venezuela with embargoed oil. This action follows the recent seizure of two other tankers, including the Russian-flagged Marinera, in the North Atlantic and Caribbean, with assistance from the UK Royal Navy in one instance. The U.S. alleges these tankers are part of a "ghost fleet" violating sanctions by carrying oil for Venezuela, Russia, and Iran. The U.S. aims to restrict Venezuelan crude oil exports, with plans to sell seized oil and control the proceeds to benefit the Venezuelan people.

The US is seizing the Olina tanker in the Caribbean, near Trinidad, as part of its efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports. This is the fifth such interdiction of ships in recent weeks. The Olina was allegedly falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste and had previously sailed from Venezuela. The US imposed sanctions on the tanker in January 2023, when it was named the Minerva M, for allegedly being part of a shadow fleet of ships. The seizure follows a prolonged pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the region.

U.S. forces seized the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker in the North Atlantic on Wednesday for violating U.S. sanctions. The seizure was conducted by DHS components with support from the Department of War, following a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro tracked the vessel, which previously operated under the name Bella 1. The action supports a presidential proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten security in the Western Hemisphere. The seizure comes after reports that Russia sent naval assets to escort the tanker, which had been attempting to evade U.S. enforcement efforts targeting sanctioned oil shipments near Venezuela for over two weeks.

The US Coast Guard seized two oil tanker ships, the Marinera and the Sophia, in separate operations. According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, one seizure occurred in the North Atlantic Sea and the other in international waters near the Caribbean Sea. The operations were described as "meticulously coordinated" and took place within hours of each other. Noem stated that the tankers either last docked in Venezuela or were en route to the country. The reason for the seizures was not explicitly stated in the provided information.

The United States seized an oil tanker, previously named Bella 1, in the North Atlantic on Wednesday after a two-week pursuit. The tanker, attempting to evade U.S. efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports, was initially stopped in the Caribbean while en route to Venezuela to load oil. The crew then flew a Russian flag, prompting Russia to send a naval vessel to escort it. However, no Russian vessels were present when the U.S. Coast Guard boarded the ship, averting a potential confrontation. The seizure signals the U.S. will continue enforcing a partial blockade on Venezuelan oil following the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. intends to oversee the sale of Venezuela's oil.

In January 2026, the U.S. military seized two oil tankers, including a Russian-flagged vessel, in the North Atlantic and Caribbean. The U.S. Coast Guard had been pursuing the Russian tanker, Marinera, for weeks, citing violations of U.S. sanctions. The second tanker, considered "stateless," was intercepted for allegedly conducting illicit activities. These seizures occurred as the Trump administration outlined plans to control Venezuela's oil sales following a military raid that ousted a Russian ally, President Nicolás Maduro. The White House indicated that the U.S. would dictate actions taken by Venezuela's interim government. Venezuela's state-run oil company confirmed it was negotiating oil sales to the U.S. under commercial frameworks.

Russia has sent a naval vessel to escort an oil tanker, formerly known as the Bella 1 and now called the Marinera, which the United States is attempting to seize. The U.S. has been pursuing the tanker for weeks after it allegedly tried to evade a partial blockade around Venezuela. The U.S. Coast Guard initially stopped the tanker in the Caribbean Sea on December 21st, claiming it lacked a valid flag, but the ship refused boarding and sailed into the Atlantic. Russia has taken steps to protect the tanker, including adding it to a Russian ship database and requesting the U.S. cease its pursuit. The tanker is currently sailing northeast in the Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Britain.

The US Coast Guard is actively pursuing an oil tanker, believed to be the Bella 1, in international waters off the coast of Venezuela. The tanker issued distress signals while traveling northeast from the Caribbean into the Atlantic. This pursuit follows the US seizure of two other oil tankers earlier in the month. The US government accuses Venezuela of stealing oil and using its revenue for criminal activities, while Venezuela denounces the tanker seizures as illegal acts of international piracy. The BBC's Ros Atkins is investigating the situation.

In December 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard attempted to intercept the Bella 1, an oil tanker en route to Venezuela, in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. claimed the vessel was stateless and had a warrant for its seizure due to prior involvement in the Iranian oil trade. The Bella 1 refused to submit to boarding and fled into the Atlantic Ocean, broadcasting distress signals. The ship was scheduled to load Venezuelan crude oil purchased by a Panamanian businessman recently sanctioned by the U.S. for ties to the Maduro government. The incident is part of an escalating U.S. pressure campaign against Venezuela.

The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing the Bella 1, an oil tanker linked to Venezuela, in the Caribbean Sea as of December 21, 2025. The pursuit follows President Trump's pledge to crack down on sanctioned vessels involved in Venezuela's oil trade. The Bella 1, already under U.S. sanctions for transporting Iranian oil, was en route to Venezuela to pick up oil and was not flying a valid flag. U.S. authorities obtained a seizure warrant due to the tanker's prior involvement with Iranian oil. The Bella 1 did not submit to boarding, prompting the Coast Guard pursuit. This action is part of an escalation of pressure against Venezuelan President Maduro, whose economy relies on oil exports.

The US Coast Guard is reportedly pursuing a third oil tanker near Venezuela, suspected of sanctions evasion and flying a false flag. This follows the seizure of two other tankers this month, one carrying "sanctioned PDVSA oil." The US accuses Venezuela of using oil revenue for illicit activities, while Venezuela condemns the seizures as theft and has vowed to file complaints with the UN. Tensions are escalating as the US increases its military presence in the Caribbean and enforces sanctions on vessels linked to Venezuela, which relies heavily on oil exports. The US has also conducted strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats, drawing scrutiny.