US Forces Intercept Another Sanctioned Oil Tanker in Caribbean Sea
In another move to exert control over Venezuela's strategic resources, US forces intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Friday, according to a statement from the US military.
Marines and Navy sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford carried out the pre-dawn action, which was part of an extensive US presence in the region that has been building up in recent months. The operation targeted a tanker called Olina, which had departed Venezuela in an apparent attempt to evade US forces.
The ship, which has been sanctioned for carrying Russian oil under its prior name and now flies the flag of Timor-Leste, was boarded by US personnel who conducted a search of the deck. The Coast Guard took control of the vessel after the operation.
According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the Olina was another "ghost fleet" tanker suspected of carrying embargoed oil. The seizure is part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump's administration to control the global distribution of Venezuela's oil products following the US ouster of President Nicolás Maduro in 2019.
The Olina has a listed cargo capacity of up to 890,000 barrels of oil, which would be worth approximately $53 million at current market prices. While it is unclear if the tanker was full or empty, the seizure is seen as another move by the US to generate revenue from sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
Critics argue that the US motivations behind the seizures are not solely driven by a desire to enforce the law, but also to raise funds for US goals in Venezuela. The Trump administration has announced plans to invest $100 billion in Venezuela's oil production and distribution infrastructure, which would be funded by sales of sanctioned oil products.
The US has already seized four other tankers carrying embargoed oil since 2019, including the Olina. The seizures have been met with skepticism from some officials, who argue that they are part of a broader effort to exert control over Venezuela's resources and undermine its sovereignty.
In another move to exert control over Venezuela's strategic resources, US forces intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Friday, according to a statement from the US military.
Marines and Navy sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford carried out the pre-dawn action, which was part of an extensive US presence in the region that has been building up in recent months. The operation targeted a tanker called Olina, which had departed Venezuela in an apparent attempt to evade US forces.
The ship, which has been sanctioned for carrying Russian oil under its prior name and now flies the flag of Timor-Leste, was boarded by US personnel who conducted a search of the deck. The Coast Guard took control of the vessel after the operation.
According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the Olina was another "ghost fleet" tanker suspected of carrying embargoed oil. The seizure is part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump's administration to control the global distribution of Venezuela's oil products following the US ouster of President Nicolás Maduro in 2019.
The Olina has a listed cargo capacity of up to 890,000 barrels of oil, which would be worth approximately $53 million at current market prices. While it is unclear if the tanker was full or empty, the seizure is seen as another move by the US to generate revenue from sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
Critics argue that the US motivations behind the seizures are not solely driven by a desire to enforce the law, but also to raise funds for US goals in Venezuela. The Trump administration has announced plans to invest $100 billion in Venezuela's oil production and distribution infrastructure, which would be funded by sales of sanctioned oil products.
The US has already seized four other tankers carrying embargoed oil since 2019, including the Olina. The seizures have been met with skepticism from some officials, who argue that they are part of a broader effort to exert control over Venezuela's resources and undermine its sovereignty.
Just think about it, another tanker intercepted in the Caribbean Sea... what's really going on here? It's like they're trying to strangle Venezuela's economy. I mean, $100 billion for oil infrastructure? That's a lot of $$$ 
And what's with this "ghost fleet" thingy? Sounds like a cover-up to me 
. They just want to control the global oil market and reap the benefits themselves. Don't believe everything you see on the surface... there's usually more to it 
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I mean, i get it, Venezuela's got a lot of oil and all, but do they really need to exert control like this? It's just giving Maduro an excuse to say "hey, us is trying to strangle me"... meanwhile, innocent ppl are gettin affected 
got another example of how US is trying to strangle Venezuela's economy. It's like, they're not even hiding it anymore, just taking whatever oil they can get their hands on and selling it for $$$ 
Meanwhile, Maduro's still in exile, no clear path forward for Venezuela... 
We can't keep going around intercepting tankers and seizing oil. It's like, how's that gonna end well for anyone? 
I gotta say, this is getting outta hand! Like, what's next? US forces just gonna start showing up at every other oil tanker in the Caribbean? 
It's all about flexing power and controlling the narrative, not about enforcing sanctions or protecting the environment. The whole thing reeks of corruption and geopolitics. I mean, come on, $100 billion investment? That's a huge chunk of change! What's Trump's real agenda here? 
just another day in the caribbean sea 
and what's up with the 'ghost fleet' tankers anyway? 
seems like a convenient excuse for the us to get their hands on venezuela's oil 
another day, another "ghost fleet" tanker getting intercepted by the US 
I'm all for enforcing sanctions and all that jazz, but can't we just pay the oil companies a little something instead of seizing their ships? 
. Criticism from some officials about exerting control over Venezuela's resources and undermining sovereignty feels justified tbh 
What is going on with this US?! They're like pirates, intercepting ships in the middle of the Caribbean! 
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. This is just another example of the US trying to exert their influence in the region and undermine the sovereignty of other nations 
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This seizure is just another example of how far the US will go to get what it wants in Venezuela. It's like they're trying to strangle the country economically and then step in to save it... for a price 
. I mean, come on, $100 billion for infrastructure? That's a whole lotta money 
I'm so proud of the people of Venezuela! 
They've been through so much, but their spirit remains unbroken. The fact that these oil tankers are still trying to break free from sanctions is a testament to their determination to provide for themselves and their families. 
The fact that the US is investing $100 billion in Venezuela's oil production and distribution infrastructure might seem like a good thing, but let's not get too caught up in the politics of it all. What really matters is how this money will be used to benefit the Venezuelan people.
We can make a difference, one small act of kindness at a time. Let's focus on uplifting each other and working towards a brighter future for all. 