US Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tanker Olina 2026: Blockade Tightens in the Caribbean

The "ghost fleet" is running out of places to hide. On January 9, 2026, US forces successfully seized the oil tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea. It's the fifth vessel captured in recent weeks as Washington accelerates its mission to clamp down on Venezuela's oil exports and squeeze the remnants of the sanctioned regime.

The Seizure of US Venezuelan Oil Tanker Olina 2026

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the Olina was caught after a prolonged pursuit. Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the vessel had been attempting to evade US naval forces by disabling its location tracker for 52 days. High-stakes footage released online shows specialized troops dropping from helicopters onto the deck of the tanker, a clear signal that the maritime blockade is now in full effect.

A Strategic Pivot in Global Energy Markets

This latest operation follows the dramatic raid in Caracas that saw the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro. President Donald Trump has stated that the US expects to take control of up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, valued at approximately $2.8 billion. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that these proceeds will eventually be dispersed to benefit the Venezuelan people, though the timeline remains uncertain.

Maritime risk analyst Vanguard Tech suggests that the systematic seizure of these vessels indicates a total collapse of the so-called shadow fleet that has previously allowed Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to bypass international sanctions. The world's largest oil reserves are now effectively under the oversight of the US Navy.