The United States has intercepted and seized another sanctioned oil tanker at sea, escalating its enforcement campaign against so-called “ghost fleet” vessels accused of moving embargoed crude and drawing sharp criticism from Moscow. This was the fifth such interception under Trump’s administration aim to control the distribution of Venezuela’s oil products.The latest operation, carried out in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea, was confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who framed the action as a warning to criminal networks and hostile states alike.
“The world’s criminals are on notice,” Noem said, announcing that the US Coast Guard had boarded and seized the motor tanker Olina after it departed Venezuela and attempted to evade American forces. Describing the ship as part of a shadow fleet suspected of carrying embargoed oil, she said the operation was conducted with close coordination between the Defence Department, State Department and Justice Department, and was consistent with international law.Also read: ‘Our gratitude’ -Moscow says US to release two Russian crew members from seized oil tanker; move after request to Trump “The ghost fleets will not outrun justice. They will not hide under false claims of nationality,” Noem said, adding that the Coast Guard would continue to seize sanctioned tankers and cut off funding streams linked to illicit activity, including narco-terrorism. “This is owning the sea.”The seizure follows an earlier high-profile interception that has already strained relations between Washington and Moscow. Russia has strongly condemned the US capture of another tanker, warning that such actions lower the threshold for the use of force against what it describes as peaceful shipping and risk further escalation across the Euro-Atlantic region. The Russian foreign ministry accused Washington of a “gross violation” of international maritime law and rejected the legitimacy of unilateral Western sanctions, insisting the vessel had been authorised to sail under a Russian flag.Also read: US troops board Russia-flagged oil tanker; choppers hover near ship – watchRussian President Vladimir Putin has so far avoided direct comment, hawkish voices in Moscow have reacted angrily. Washington, however, has defended its actions as lawful enforcement of sanctions on Venezuela and associated oil shipments. US officials say only approved channels consistent with American law and national security interests are permitted to transport Venezuelan crude. The US European Command has said the earlier vessel was seized for violations of US sanctions after attempting to evade restrictions and changing its name and flag.
