US Military Intercepts Another Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela: What You Need to Know
Washington: The US military has reported that its forces have boarded yet another oil tanker in the Caribbean, as part of ongoing efforts to target vessels associated with Venezuela under sanctions. This operation took place early Friday morning.
According to US Southern Command, the operation involved Marines and Navy personnel and is part of a larger buildup of military presence in the Caribbean region. They emphasized that there is 'no safe haven for criminals' while announcing the seizure of the tanker named Olina.
Footage released by Southern Command on social media shows a US helicopter landing on the tanker and personnel searching the deck.
This marks the fifth tanker seized by US forces in a broader initiative led by the Trump administration to regulate the global distribution of Venezuelan oil products, following the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro.
A spokesperson from Southern Command informed the media that the Navy and Marine Corps were assisting the Department of Homeland Security, which is overseeing the operation. However, they did not provide details on whether the vessel was linked to Venezuela or under sanctions, referring those inquiries to the Justice Department and Homeland Security.
The US Coast Guard has refrained from commenting, directing all inquiries to the White House.