U.S. Coast Guard Seizes Another Sanctioned Oil Tanker Linked To Venezuela

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The United States has seized another oil tanker suspected of carrying embargoed oil, which had departed Venezuela and attempted to evade U.S. forces. Following several other similar seizures, this is said to be the fifth oil tanker captured by the U.S.

The latest operation and seizure, which took place early this morning (Friday 9th January, 2026), was announced by Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. In a statement on X, Secretary Noem said, “The world’s criminals are on notice.” She said early this morning, the U.S. Coast Guard “executed a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Olina in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea. As another ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil, this vessel had departed Venezuela attempting to evade U.S. forces.”

Noem added that close co-ordination with the Department of War, the State Department, and the Justice Department, “ensured a safe, effective boarding consistent with law.”

According to the Secretary, “The ghost fleets will not outrun justice. They will not hide under false claims of nationality. The Coast Guard will seize sanctioned oil tankers, enforce U.S. and international law, and eliminate these funding streams for illicit activity, including narco-terrorism. We are deeply proud of the Coast Guard's maritime fighting force for their relentless execution of this mission. This is owning the sea.”

More on this as it becomes available.

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