U.S. Military Seizes “Ghost Tanker” in Caribbean
The U.S. military intercepted a so-called “ghost tanker” in Caribbean waters on Friday. This operation is part of ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to target oil vessels linked to sanctions, especially those involving Venezuela.
Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, shared nighttime footage of the operation on social media. In the video, a U.S. military helicopter is shown landing on the tanker. Personnel are seen searching the deck and what looks like an explosive device is dropped in front of a door leading into the ship.
Noem commented, “This means owning the ocean,” highlighting the significance of the action. U.S. Southern Command also released the video, stating that Marines and sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear executed the operation without incident while supporting the Department of Homeland Security.
According to them, the tanker, known as Olina, was captured early in the morning, which aligns with their mission to deter illegal activities and enhance security across the Western Hemisphere. Noem emphasized that “ghost fleets are not above justice,” noting that they can’t evade scrutiny simply by claiming false national identities.
U.S. records indicate that Olina had previously operated under the name Minerva M and was sanctioned for transporting Russian oil. Noem emphasized that the Coast Guard will ultimately take action against such tankers, aiming to disrupt funding for illegal activities, including narcoterrorism.
The last reported location of Olina was off the Venezuelan coast in November, after which it disappeared from tracking systems, earning the “ghost” label.
This tanker marks the fifth seizure under the Trump administration’s strategy to control the flow of Venezuelan oil products. This policy gained new intensity following the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, over drug trafficking allegations during a nighttime raid.
Both individuals are currently facing federal charges in New York. Oil seems to play a pivotal role in Trump’s broader strategy to shift Venezuela from a communist state to a capitalist one.
In a post early Friday morning, Trump stated the U.S. and Venezuela “work well together,” particularly regarding oil and gas infrastructure. He mentioned that executives from 17 major oil companies would gather at the White House later that day to discuss long-term relations and security prospects regarding Venezuelan oil.
The meeting aims to explore investing around $100 billion to improve Venezuela’s oil production and distribution, with hopes of reducing oil prices for Americans. Trump hinted that this initiative could also curb drug trafficking into the U.S.
The administration projects plans to sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil, with revenues benefiting both the U.S. and Venezuelan citizens.
If Olina had been fully loaded at the time of seizure, it could have contained up to 890,000 barrels of oil, potentially worth around $53 million at current market rates.
