WASHINGTON: The US has seized the Olina tanker within the Caribbean, the fifth vessel targeted in recent weeks as Washington steps up efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports, US officers mentioned on Friday (Jan 9).
The Olina, which based on public transport database Equasis was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste, had beforehand sailed from Venezuela and had returned to the area, mentioned an trade supply with direct data of the matter.
In a pre-dawn transfer, marines and sailors from Joint Activity Pressure Southern Spear, launched from the provider USS Gerald R Ford, apprehended the Olina within the Caribbean Sea “with out incident”, the US Southern Command mentioned on X.
“As soon as once more, our joint interagency forces despatched a transparent message this morning: ‘there isn’t any protected haven for criminals,'” it mentioned.
The Olina left Venezuela final week absolutely loaded with oil as a part of a flotilla shortly after the US seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan 3, and the vessel was returning absolutely loaded to Venezuela following the US blockade of Venezuelan oil exports, the trade supply mentioned.
“The vessel’s AIS (location) tracker was final lively 52 days in the past within the Venezuelan EEZ, northeast of Curacao,” British maritime threat administration firm Vanguard mentioned individually.
“The seizure follows a protracted pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments within the area.”
The US imposed sanctions on the tanker in January final yr, when it was named the Minerva M, for what Washington mentioned was it being a part of the so-called shadow fleet of ships that sail with little regulation or recognized insurance coverage.
The M Sophia, one other of the tankers that was a part of a flotilla of a dozen vessels that left Venezuela earlier this month, was seized by US forces earlier this week.
Three vessels – Skylyn, Min Dangle and Merope – all absolutely loaded and a part of the identical flotilla that left final week, sailed again to Venezuelan waters on Thursday, based on the trade supply.
Seven further tankers from that flotilla, additionally absolutely loaded, had been set to return to Venezuelan waters on Friday and Saturday, the individual mentioned.
The entire oil on board these 10 tankers is owned by Venezuelan state producer PDVSA, the individual added. PDVSA didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
It was unclear whether or not Washington would take motion on the opposite tankers crusing in direction of Venezuela.
The US blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil stays in full impact “anyplace on this planet”, Struggle Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned on Wednesday.
