The United States military has dramatically escalated its campaign to control Venezuela's oil resources, seizing a third tanker in the Caribbean Sea within the space of a single week.
According to a statement from US Southern Command, US Marines and navy sailors boarded the Olina tanker overnight near Trinidad, before the US Coast Guard took control of the vessel. The command declared that "there is no safe haven for criminals" following the ship's capture.
A Strategic Crackdown on Sanctioned Oil
This aggressive series of interdictions comes in the immediate aftermath of the deposition of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The US is moving decisively to dominate the South American nation's vast petroleum output.
The timing is highly significant. On Friday 9 January 2026, US President Donald Trump was hosting a meeting at the White House with executives from major American oil firms, whom he labelled "BIG OIL". These companies are central to his stated plan to extract "billions and billions dollars of oil from Venezuela".
The Olina represents the fifth tanker seized by US forces since December. Investigations into the vessel reveal a complex history of sanctions evasion:
- It was previously sanctioned for moving Russian oil under the name Minerva M.
- It was flagged in Panama but now flies the flag of Timor-Leste, which is listed in international registries as a false flag, meaning its claimed registration is invalid.
- In July, its registered owner and manager were changed to a Hong Kong-based company.
Political and Diplomatic Fallout
As the US tightens its economic grip, Venezuela's transitional government is taking steps to manage the country's political crisis. Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, has been sworn in as his successor.
In a conciliatory move, the government began releasing political prisoners on Friday. However, progress appeared slow, with a national human rights group reporting that only nine individuals had been freed by around 6pm UK time, despite families gathering at detention centres in hope.
Diplomatic channels are also being cautiously reopened. The US State Department has dispatched a team to Venezuela, while Caracas has announced the start of an "exploratory diplomatic process" aimed at eventually re-establishing missions in both countries.
Analysis: Oil at the Heart of Trump's Gamble
The seizure of the Olina underscores President Trump's unwavering focus on leveraging Venezuela's oil industry for strategic gain. By targeting the so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers carrying sanctioned crude, the US aims to choke off vital revenue.
This policy serves multiple objectives: asserting control in America's traditional sphere of influence, providing lucrative opportunities for US corporations, and sending a stark warning to global adversaries, notably China, about Washington's willingness to enforce its economic will.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this high-stakes gamble can revive Venezuela's crippled oil industry or further destabilise the region's political landscape.
