US seizes Russian-linked shadow fleet tanker Olina, military confirms
Editor's note: This story has been updated with confirmation from the U.S. military and comments from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The U.S. Coast Guard on Jan. 9 boarded the sanctioned oil tanker Olina as part of Washington's campaign to tighten control over Venezuela's oil trade, U.S. Southern Command said.
This marks the fifth tanker seized by the U.S. authorities in recent weeks, including the vessel Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, which was sailing under a Russian flag at the time of its seizure.
"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," the military said.
The Olina, formerly known as Minerva M, is a shadow fleet vessel sanctioned by the U.S., EU, the U.K., and other countries for transporting Russian oil in violation of earlier restrictions.
Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: “there is no safe haven for criminals.”
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 9, 2026
In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R.… pic.twitter.com/StHo4ufcdx
U.S. President Donald Trump posted about the operation on social media, saying the seizure of the tanker was conducted in cooperation with Venezuela's interim authorities. Speaking at the White House later on Jan. 9, Trump said that Russia chose not to defend the tanker.
"We had a — Russia, I guess — sort of a semi-Russian ship yesterday that we took over, and Russia decided not to defend that ship against us. That was a big move," he told the press.
The move comes as tensions between Washington and Moscow mount, fueled by the U.S. capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and Russia's continued war in Ukraine.
Reuters reported that the tanker, falsely sailing under the Timor-Leste flag, previously traveled from Venezuela and had returned to the region. It was detained in the Caribbean Sea near Trinidad.
The Marine Traffic tracking data, last updated in November, shows the Olina off the Venezuelan coast.
The news comes as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to enforce control over the Venezuelan oil trade, while Maduro is facing trial after being detained by U.S. forces in Caracas on Jan. 3.
"The United States continues to enforce the blockade against all dark fleet vessels illegally transporting Venezuelan oil to finance illicit activity, stealing from the Venezuelan people," U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this week.
"Only legitimate and lawful energy commerce — as determined by the U.S. — will be permitted."
