The US military has seized a fifth tanker as part of its blockade of Venezuela
The US military has declared the seizure of another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, stating the action is part of efforts to “end illicit activity and restore security in the Western Hemisphere.”
The vessel, the Olina, was boarded without incident early Friday morning, U.S. Southern Command said in a statement. At the time of boarding, the tanker was flying the flag of Timor-Leste. It had reportedly been spotted traveling from Venezuela before and recently returned to the region.
“The Department of War’s Operation Southern Spear is unwavering in its mission to defend our homeland by ending illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere,” the command said.
Footage released by the US military shows a large, heavily armed group of service members disembarking from a helicopter hovering above the tanker. The service members are then seen heading to the vessel’s superstructure.
Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: “there is no safe haven for criminals.”
In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R.…
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom)
The Olina marks the fifth vessel seized by the US amid its blockade of Venezuela. Earlier this week, the US military took control of two tankers believed to be linked to the country: the Sophia and the Marinera, previously named Bella 1. The former was apprehended in the Caribbean without incident.
The latter tanker had been pursued by the US Coast Guard since late December, when its crew refused to let American servicemen board and sailed from the Caribbean toward the Atlantic.
During the pursuit, the ship obtained a temporary sailing permit from Russia, switching to the Russian flag and changing its name.
The vessel was finally intercepted Wednesday in international waters northwest of Scotland during a major US military operation supported by the UK. Moscow has condemned the seizure as a gross violation of international maritime rules and a breach of the UN Convention.