US Joint Task Force Storms Another Venezuela-Linked Shadow Fleet Tanker
The dramatic moment a US joint task force stormed a shadow fleet tanker in the Caribbean has been captured on footage. The operation, conducted by the Coast Guard and Joint Task Force Southern Spear, took place overnight.
Armed forces abseiled from a helicopter before swarming the sanctioned Olina, reportedly falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste, near Trinidad. As they closed in, the marines threw what appears to be a distraction grenade, which exploded aboard the tanker.
Two US officials confirmed the seizure, which sent a clear message: “There is no safe haven for criminals.” The operation was carried out in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and the USS Gerald R. Ford.
US Efforts to Control Venezuelan Oil Exports
The seizure comes amid Washington’s efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports following the extraordinary capture of its leader Nicolas Maduro on Saturday. President Trump shared the news triumphantly, writing: “Today, the United States of America, in coordination with the Interim Authorities of Venezuela, seized an oil tanker which departed Venezuela without our approval.”
This tanker is now on its way back to Venezuela, and the oil will be sold through the GREAT Energy Deal, which we have created for such sales. The US has imposed sanctions on the tanker, claiming it was part of a shadow fleet of vessels that sail with little regulation or known insurance.
Shadow Fleet Grows to 600 Vessels
The Olina left Venezuela last week fully loaded with oil as part of a flotilla shortly after US strikes on the territory. The vessel was returning fully loaded to Venezuela following the US blockade of Venezuelan oil exports, the source added. The US has seized at least 16 sanctioned oil tankers since December, with 13 carrying around 12 million barrels of crude oil and refined oil products.
Four of these tankers were spotted heading north from Venezuela in a satellite image from the European Copernicus programme. Tanker Trackers identified them as the Aquila II, the Bertha, the Veronica III, and the Vesna. All four ships are under US sanctions and subject to Donald Trump’s naval blockade – enforced on sanctioned oil tankers arriving to or departing from Venezuela on December 16.
International Response
The seizure follows a prolonged pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the region. British maritime risk management company Vanguard said: “The vessels AIS (location) tracker was last active 52 days ago in the Venezuelan EEZ, northeast of Curacao.” The US is working with international partners to disrupt the shadow fleet’s operations and prevent further illicit activity.
Conclusion
The dramatic moment a US joint task force stormed another Venezuela-linked shadow fleet tanker has sent a clear message: “There is no safe haven for criminals.” The operation demonstrates Washington’s commitment to defending its homeland by ending illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere.
Original Article: Dramatic moment US Marines storm ANOTHER Venezuela-linked shadow fleet tanker abseiling from chopper to seize vessel — The-Sun