US seizes fifth oil tanker as pressure campaign against Venezuela intensifies

The United States military has seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean, marking the fifth such interception as Washington escalates its pressure campaign against Venezuela.

In a statement issued on Friday, US Southern Command said its forces had “apprehended” the oil tanker Olina without incident. The military did not specify the alleged violations that led to the seizure or provide further operational details.

According to US government records cited by the Associated Press, the Olina had previously been sanctioned for transporting Russian oil under its former name, Minerva M. International shipping registries have also indicated that the vessel was operating under a false flag at the time of its interception.

The latest seizure comes just two days after US forces detained two other tankers, including the Russian-flagged Marinera, formerly known as Bella-1. That vessel was intercepted in the North Atlantic. The US Department of Justice later said it was investigating the ship’s crew for failing to comply with Coast Guard orders and warned that criminal charges could follow.

Russia has condemned the seizure, calling it a “gross violation” of international maritime law, and has demanded the immediate release of the crew.

The US action is part of a broader maritime enforcement effort launched after President Donald Trump announced a blockade of all oil tankers sanctioned for trading with Venezuela. Since then, US forces have also seized the M Sophia, described by the military as a “stateless” vessel after Panama revoked its flag registration last year. Earlier interceptions included the Skipper and the Centuries in December.

The seizures follow last weekend’s US military operation that resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a move widely condemned by governments and international legal experts as a violation of international law. Washington has since vowed to maintain its blockade on sanctioned vessels and has urged Venezuela to sever ties with Russia and China.

Trump has said the sanctions, seizures, and military pressure are intended to open Venezuela’s vast oil reserves to US companies. He was scheduled to meet oil and gas executives at the White House later on Friday.

United Nations experts have sharply criticised the US actions. In December, four UN experts said Washington had no legal authority to enforce unilateral sanctions through an armed blockade, describing the measures as “illegal armed aggression.” More recently, another group of UN experts warned that US plans to indefinitely control Venezuela’s oil industry violate the Venezuelan people’s right to self-determination.

Despite the criticism, Trump struck a conciliatory tone early on Friday, posting on Truth Social that the US and Venezuela were “working well together” on rebuilding the country’s oil and gas infrastructure.

“Because of this cooperation, I have cancelled the previously expected second wave of attacks,” Trump said, adding that US military ships would remain deployed in the region.