WASHINGTON — U.S. authorities seized the oil tanker Olina early Friday morning in the Caribbean Sea, escalating a crackdown on vessels suspected of moving Venezuelan oil in violation of U.S. sanctions.
The ship was intercepted in international waters during a coordinated operation involving U.S. naval and law enforcement forces. Officials said the boarding was conducted without incident and that the crew was taken into custody safely.
According to U.S. officials, the Olina is believed to be linked to shipments of Venezuelan crude oil and was operating as part of an illicit network designed to evade sanctions through opaque ownership structures and shifting documentation. Authorities said the vessel had previously operated out of Venezuelan ports.
There was no immediate public response Friday morning from the White House or the Pentagon beyond confirmation of the seizure. Officials cautioned that details remain preliminary as investigators determine the ship’s cargo, ownership, and intended destination.
The seizure is part of a broader U.S. campaign to disrupt unauthorized Venezuelan oil exports, which Washington says are being used to finance the Maduro government despite international restrictions.
U.S. officials said additional information about the Olina, including the legal basis for the seizure and potential criminal or civil penalties, is expected later Friday.
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