US Forces Seize MT Olina Oil Tanker in Caribbean Sea
US forces seized the crude oil tanker MT Olina (imo-9282479/”>IMO: imo-9282479/”>9282479) in the Caribbean Sea on Friday for illegally transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil. The operation was carried out without incident, with helicopters hovering over the vessel and Marines moving to various parts of the ship during the boarding process.
The Timorese-flagged oil tanker, formerly known as Minerva M, had reportedly switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder for nearly two months before it was seized. The MT Olina is also stateless, having allegedly sailed under a false flag of Timor-Leste.
This marks the fifth dark fleet oil tanker seized by the US as part of its crackdown on the movement of sanctioned Venezuelan products, such as crude oil. The vessel is listed on various nations’ sanctions lists, including most recently the US in January 2025, for allegedly moving Russian oil to foreign markets.
Operation Southern Spear: Targeting Narco-Terrorist Organisations
The MT Olina‘s seizure is part of Operation Southern Spear, a US military operation targeting “narco-terrorist” organisations and their operations in the Western Hemisphere. The operation was announced by former Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during the Donald Trump administration.
As part of its efforts to disrupt these illegal activities, the US has seized several vessels in recent days. On Wednesday, it captured two other oil tankers, MT Sophia and Marinera, as part of Operation Southern Spear. This brings the total number of vessels seized by the US to three in just a few days.
US Southern Command’s Message: No Safe Haven for Criminals
The US Southern Command issued a statement on Friday announcing the capture of the MT Olina, emphasizing that there is no safe haven for criminals. The statement read, “Apprehensions like this are backed by the full power of the US Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group, including the ready and lethal platforms of the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale.”
The seizure of the MT Olina highlights the US government’s commitment to enforcing its sanctions and disrupting illegal activities in the region. As the operation continues, it remains to be seen what other vessels will be targeted and how this effort will impact the global oil market.
Original Article: US forces seize dark fleet oil tanker ‘MT Olina’ in the Caribbean Sea, say ‘no safe haven for criminals’- The Week — Theweek