• The US has seized the Olina tanker in the Caribbean, marking its fifth vessel interdicted in recent weeks.
• The operation is part of Washington's broader efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports.
• The tanker was previously linked to sanctions, having sailed under the name Minerva M.

The US has successfully seized the Olina tanker near Trinidad, marking the fifth vessel targeted by Washington as it intensifies efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports. According to US officials, the seizure aligns with ongoing sanctions against vessels attempting to transport oil from Venezuela, which is facing international scrutiny for its handling of resources. The Olina, reportedly sailing under a false flag, was previously interdicted after departing Venezuela, according to Reuters and SCMP.

The tanker was apprehended in a pre-dawn operation conducted by US marines and sailors from the USS Gerald R. Ford, with the interception carried out "without incident," as reported by the US Southern Command. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem emphasized the operation as a clear warning against those involved in transporting sanctioned oil, stating, “The ghost fleets will not outrun justice,” according to Channel News Asia and LA Times.

The Olina was last tracked about 52 days ago near Venezuela's exclusive economic zone, and its detention follows a broader crackdown on what US officials refer to as "ghost fleet" vessels linked to sanctioned oil shipments. The tanker, previously identified as the Minerva M, is now part of ongoing military and coordination efforts to enforce sanctions, as asserted by the US Coast Guard and supported by statements from Homeland Security, according to AA and BBC.