ALBAWABA- U.S. forces have seized the Olina, marking the fifth oil tanker interdicted in recent weeks as Washington steps up enforcement of sanctions tied to Venezuelan crude exports.
The pre-dawn operation in the Caribbean Sea involved the U.S. Coast Guard alongside Marines and naval assets, reinforcing an expanding campaign to disrupt vessels operating in the so-called “ghost fleet” that tries to evade sanctions by flying false flags. Olina was previously sanctioned under the name Minerva M for transporting banned cargo.
Officials say the action sends a clear message that there is “no safe haven for criminals” and fits into broader U.S. pressure on Venezuela’s oil sector following heightened regional military activity.
The aggressive blockade could escalate tensions with countries watching U.S. enforcement closely, including Russia and others with strategic interests in Caracas.
The recent tanker seizures have become a hallmark of U.S. policy toward Venezuelan energy exports, with Washington presenting them as necessary to enforce sanctions and disrupt illicit oil networks in the Caribbean.
Yet this approach sharply contrasts with U.S. actions elsewhere. In Yemen, the United States launched military strikes on the Houthis under the banner of protecting freedom of navigation, after the group targeted Israeli-linked vessels in protest over Gaza.
This double standard, aggressive intervention, and regime targeting in Venezuela versus the limited, selective force in Yemen raises serious questions about the true motives behind U.S. maritime and security policies.
