Another oil tanker, named Olina, has been seized by the United States in a pre-dawn operation in the Caribbean Sea, making it the third seizure of a tanker by US forces within a week.
US seize another oil tanker in Caribbean Sea under Operation Southern Spear. (Pic: X/U.S. Southern Command)
Another oil tanker, named Olina, has been seized by the United States in a pre-dawn operation in the Caribbean Sea.
The US Southern Command confirmed the seizure on a post on a social media platform, making it the third seizure of a tanker by US forces within a week.
Advertisement
The United States has referred to the seizure as a clear message against illicit activities in the Western Hemisphere. It insisted that the US will not allow any haven for criminals.
Advertisement
“Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: there is no safe haven for criminals,” the command said in a post on X.
Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: “there is no safe haven for criminals.”
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. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 9, 2026
The US Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force-Southern Spear conducted the operation in coordination with the US Department of Homeland Security. The operation also received support from the US Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group, including the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale.
The pre-dawn operation was carried out from the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.
The post further stated, “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 world’s criminals are on notice.
Early this morning, the @USCG executed a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Olina in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea. As another “ghost fleet” tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil, this vessel had departed… pic.twitter.com/vvS3u3nrvl
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 9, 2026
Two days ago, a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera (formerly the Bella 1) was also seized by the US Coast Guard warship. The US claimed that the oil tanker had allegedly evaded a US blockade of sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela for over a fortnight.
The US European Command had posted on X that Marinera violated US sanctions. It was tracked by the US Coast Guard cutter Munro before the operation. The command clarified that the vessel was seized under a warrant issued by a US federal court.
Originally named Bella 1, the tanker was sanctioned in 2024 and renamed Marinera.
Advertisement
