US forces seize tanker ‘sailing from Venezuela’ as war fears soar | World | News
The US is in the process of seizing a tanker in the Caribbean as Washington continues efforts to thwart alleged drug smuggling.
The US Coast Guard seized the oil tanker Olina from Russia‘s “shadow” fleet. The Olina had previously left Venezuela and was returning to the region, but was falsely flying the flag of East Timor, which is typical of the so-called “shadow fleet” of ships that avoid sanctions.
The Olina was carrying Russian oil. It is involved in the export of Russian oil and oil products from Russian ports on the Baltic and Black Seas, as well as the Pacific region, mainly to China, India, and Turkey.
Separately, British maritime risk management company Vanguard said: “The vessel’s AIS (location) tracker was last active 52 days ago in the Venezuelan EEZ, northeast of Curacao.
“The seizure follows a prolonged pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the region.”
The New York Times claims that the US is increasing pressure on sanctioned tankers: “Sixteen ships are trying to break through the blockade, one ship has already been boarded, and the rest are fleeing.”
An industry source said The Olina departed Venezuela last week fully laden with oil as part of a flotilla shortly after the US seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, before later heading back towards Venezuela following Washington’s blockade of the country’s oil exports.
The United States imposed sanctions on the tanker in January last year, when it was operating under the name Minerva M, after Washington said it was part of the so-called “shadow fleet” of vessels accused of sailing with little regulation or known insurance.
The latest move forms part of a broader US crackdown, in which President Donald Trump told Fox News: “We are going to start now hitting land.” Washington has accused vessels operating out of Venezuela of contributing to illegal trade networks, including drug trafficking and sanctions-busting oil shipments.
Caracas has previously condemned similar interdictions, branding them “acts of piracy”, as tensions continue to simmer between the US and the Venezuelan government over oil exports, sanctions enforcement and regional security.
