Conflicts

U.S. Military Seizes Oil Tankers Linked to Venezuela in Multi-Theater Operations

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Jan 10, 2026

THE BARE STORY

U.S. naval forces seized the oil tanker *Olina* in the Caribbean on Friday, January 9, in an operation conducted by U.S. Southern Command. This interception involved Marines and sailors from the USS Gerald R. Ford and marks the fifth vessel linked to Venezuela to be seized recently. Earlier in the week, U.S. European Command oversaw the interdiction of another tanker in the North Atlantic, identified variously as the *Merinera* or *Marinera*.

U.S. officials described the vessels as part of a "shadow fleet" or "ghost fleet" used to evade sanctions and transport oil illicitly. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that forces are targeting sanctioned tankers to eliminate funding for criminal activities. President Trump said the *Olina* had departed Venezuela without U.S. approval and indicated that its cargo—estimated to be worth over $50 million—would be sold through a newly created energy deal.

Regarding the North Atlantic operation, Russia accused U.S. forces of illegally boarding a vessel it claimed was operating under the Russian flag, arguing the action violated international maritime law. The vessel, formerly known as the *Bella I*, was allegedly reflagged under a temporary Russian authorization in late December. Analysts noted that the ship is suspected of being part of a network used by Russia and Venezuela to bypass international sanctions.

The military actions coincided with a White House meeting between President Trump and executives from major oil companies to discuss investing in Venezuela's energy infrastructure. The seizures follow the reported U.S. ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier in the month. Maduro has previously rejected U.S. allegations regarding these vessels, accusing the United States of plundering Venezuelan resources under the guise of law enforcement.

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• Violation of international maritime law Russia accused U.S. forces of illegally boarding a vessel in the North Atlantic that it claimed was operating under the Russian flag. Russian officials argued that the interdiction of the ship, identified as the *Merinera* or *Marinera*, constituted a direct violation of international maritime law.

• Accusations of resource theft under legal pretext Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro rejected the allegations made by the United States regarding the vessels. He accused the U.S. government of using law enforcement operations as a guise to plunder Venezuelan natural resources.

• Claims of legitimate registration and sovereignty Regarding the North Atlantic incident, Russia maintained that the vessel, formerly known as the *Bella I*, had been reflagged under temporary Russian authorization in late December. Based on this claim, critics argue the U.S. had no legal standing to board the ship.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Domestic energy markets may see shifts as the administration authorizes the sale of seized oil cargoes and coordinates with executives to invest in Venezuelan infrastructure.

• Diplomatic tensions with Russia could escalate following accusations that U.S. forces violated maritime law by boarding a vessel Moscow claims was operating under its flag.

• You may witness increased U.S. military activity in international shipping lanes as forces actively target "shadow fleets" to enforce sanctions and intercept illicit funding streams.

• Major U.S. corporations could secure new international business opportunities as the White House facilitates negotiations for developing Venezuela's energy sector.

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