As part of an ongoing campaign to exert maximum pressure on Venezuela, the United States has seized a fifth oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea.

The U.S. military’s Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed the operation in a statement released on Friday (January 10, 2026).

According to military officials, the vessel—identified as the Olina—was intercepted by a joint task force in a pre-dawn operation. The seizure was conducted without conflict.

Key Details of the Operation

• Identity & Origin: The tanker was sailing under the flag of Timor-Leste (East Timor). However, U.S. authorities claim it was carrying "banned and unauthorized" oil destined for international markets in violation of sanctions.
• Prior History: Records from the Associated Press (AP) and U.S. government documents indicate the ship was previously known as the Minerva M. It had already been under sanction for transporting Russian oil.
• Location: The interception took place in the Caribbean Sea, following a pursuit by the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy SEALs launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.

Legal Action and Broader Context

The U.S. Department of Justice has stated that the crew of the seized vessel is being investigated for failing to comply with Coast Guard instructions in the North Atlantic. Formal charges are expected to be filed.

This latest seizure is part of a rapid escalation in maritime enforcement. Earlier this week, U.S. forces seized two other vessels:

• The Marinera: A Russian-flagged ship (formerly known as the Bella 1) seized in the North Atlantic.
• The M Sophia: Intercepted in the Caribbean Sea.

These actions follow the seizure of two other tankers, the Skipper and the Centurys, in December.

The Trump administration has characterized these operations as a "quarantine" on Venezuelan oil to cut off funding for the previous regime following the recent capture of Nicolás Maduro.