WASHINGTON: The US has seized the Olina tanker within the Caribbean, the fifth vessel targeted in recent weeks as Washington steps up efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports, US officers stated on Friday (Jan 9).
The Olina, which in line with public transport database Equasis was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste, had beforehand sailed from Venezuela and had returned to the area, stated an business supply with direct data of the matter.
In a pre-dawn transfer, marines and sailors from Joint Activity Power Southern Spear, launched from the service USS Gerald R Ford, apprehended the Olina within the Caribbean Sea “with out incident”, the US Southern Command stated on X.
“As soon as once more, our joint interagency forces despatched a transparent message this morning: ‘there isn’t any protected haven for criminals,'” it stated.
The Olina left Venezuela final week absolutely loaded with oil as a part of a flotilla shortly after the US seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan 3, and the vessel was returning absolutely loaded to Venezuela following the US blockade of Venezuelan oil exports, the business supply stated.
“The vessel’s AIS (location) tracker was final lively 52 days in the past within the Venezuelan EEZ, northeast of Curacao,” British maritime danger administration firm Vanguard stated individually.
“The seizure follows a chronic pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments within the area.”
The US imposed sanctions on the tanker in January final yr, when it was named the Minerva M, for what Washington stated was it being a part of the so-called shadow fleet of ships that sail with little regulation or recognized insurance coverage.
The M Sophia, one other of the tankers that was a part of a flotilla of a dozen vessels that left Venezuela earlier this month, was seized by US forces earlier this week.
Three vessels – Skylyn, Min Grasp and Merope – all absolutely loaded and a part of the identical flotilla that left final week, sailed again to Venezuelan waters on Thursday, in line with the business supply.
Seven extra tankers from that flotilla, additionally absolutely loaded, have been set to return to Venezuelan waters on Friday and Saturday, the particular person stated.
All the oil on board these 10 tankers is owned by Venezuelan state producer PDVSA, the particular person added. PDVSA didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
It was unclear whether or not Washington would take motion on the opposite tankers crusing in direction of Venezuela.
The US blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil stays in full impact “wherever on this planet”, Battle Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Wednesday.
