US military seizes another oil tanker in Caribbean Sea
According to official statements, the tanker — identified as the Olina — was boarded in the early hours of Friday without resistance. At the time of the operation, the ship was sailing under the flag of Timor-Leste. Reports indicate that the vessel had previously departed from Venezuela and had only recently re-entered the Caribbean region.
Commenting on the operation, the command stated, “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.”
Video footage released by the US military shows a sizeable contingent of heavily armed personnel descending onto the tanker from a hovering helicopter. The servicemen are then seen moving toward the ship’s upper structures to secure the vessel.
The seizure of the Olina marks the fifth tanker taken by the US in connection with the blockade imposed on Venezuela. Earlier this week, American forces also assumed control of two other tankers believed to be associated with the country — the Sophia and the Marinera, the latter of which had previously operated under the name Bella 1. Reports say the Sophia was detained in the Caribbean without confrontation.
The Marinera, by contrast, had been followed by the US Coast Guard since late December after its crew declined to allow US personnel to board and instead attempted to leave the Caribbean for the Atlantic Ocean.
During the pursuit, the vessel reportedly obtained a temporary sailing authorization from Russia, adopted the Russian flag, and changed its name. Despite this, it was eventually intercepted on Wednesday in international waters northwest of Scotland as part of a large-scale US operation carried out with British support.
Russian officials have condemned the seizure, describing it as a serious breach of international maritime law and a violation of the UN Convention.
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