US forces seize ‘ghost fleet’ oil tanker in Caribbean in third interception in three days

A crude oil tanker is pictured docking in the Maracaibo Lake in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on January 8, 2026. (Image used for representation)

The United States said Friday it seized another tanker that tried to break an American naval blockade aimed at preventing sanctioned oil from departing Venezuela, the fifth ship apprehended in recent weeks.

The Olina was "another 'ghost fleet' tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil" and was seized after it "departed Venezuela attempting to evade US forces," Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem said in a post on X.

The pre-dawn action was carried out by US Marines and Navy, taking part in the monthslong buildup of forces in the Caribbean, according to US Southern Command, which declared “there is no safe haven for criminals” as it announced the seizure of the vessel called the Olina.

Southern Command posted unclassified footage on social media of a US helicopter landing on the vessel and US personnel conducting a search of the deck.

The Olina is the fifth tanker that has been seized by US forces as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control the distribution of Venezuela’s oil products globally following the US ouster of President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid.

Navy officials couldn’t immediately provide details about whether the Coast Guard was part of the force that took control of the vessel as has been the case in the previous seizures. A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard said there was no immediate comment on the seizure.