The U.S. has intercepted the Olina tanker in the Caribbean, marking the fifth vessel targeted recently as part of increased efforts to restrict Venezuelan oil exports, according to U.S. officials on Friday. The Olina, which had been falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste, had previously departed from Venezuela and returned to the region, as disclosed by an industry insider with direct knowledge of the situation. In an early morning operation, marines and sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, dispatched from the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier, successfully apprehended the Olina in the Caribbean Sea “without incident,” as stated by the U.S. Southern Command. The vessel departed Venezuela fully loaded with oil shortly after the U.S. seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3 and was en route back with a full load following the U.S. embargo on Venezuelan oil exports, reported the industry source.
The vessel’s AIS tracker was last active 52 days ago in the Venezuelan EEZ, northeast of Curacao, according to British maritime risk management company Vanguard. The U.S. had imposed sanctions on the tanker in January last year when it was known as the Minerva M, due to being part of the unregulated and underinsured shadow fleet of ships linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the region. Another tanker from the flotilla that left Venezuela earlier this month, the M Sophia, was seized by U.S. forces earlier in the week.
Three vessels, namely Skylyn, Min Hang, and Merope, all part of the same flotilla that departed last week, returned to Venezuelan waters on Thursday. Seven additional tankers, also fully loaded, were expected to return to Venezuelan waters on Friday and Saturday, according to the source. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized the turnaround of oil vessels avoiding interception, indicating U.S. determination. The oil aboard these tankers belongs to Venezuelan state producer PDVSA, with no immediate comment provided by PDVSA.
The status of other tankers heading towards Venezuela remains uncertain, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the full enforcement of the U.S. blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil globally. Additionally, President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a second wave of attacks on Venezuela, attributing it to positive developments and cooperation with Venezuela, including the release of political prisoners. Trump highlighted the collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Venezuela in rebuilding the oil and gas infrastructure. The cancellation of the anticipated attacks was deemed unnecessary, with ships remaining in position for security purposes. Trump’s statements followed indications of improved relations with the Venezuelan government, including plans for substantial investments by oil companies in Venezuela.