On January 9, 2026, U.S. military forces conducted a pre-dawn operation in the Caribbean Sea to seize the oil tanker Olina, a vessel previously sanctioned for transporting Venezuelan crude in violation of international restrictions. The operation, carried out by U.S. Marines and Navy sailors as part of Joint Task Force Southern Spear and coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security, took place in international waters near Trinidad and Tobago. Officials reported that the boarding was executed without incident, with personnel securing the vessel and key areas before bringing it under U.S. control.
The Olina, formerly operating under the name Minerva M, had been flagged under Timor-Leste and is part of what U.S. authorities describe as the “shadow fleet,” a network of vessels using false flags and irregular registrations to evade sanctions and transport oil linked to restricted shipments. This seizure marks the fifth interdiction in recent weeks as part of an expanded campaign to enforce sanctions and limit the movement of illicit Venezuelan crude.
Unclassified footage released by U.S. Southern Command shows Marines and sailors fast-roping from helicopters and boarding small craft to secure the tanker. The operation demonstrates the coordinated use of naval and air assets to conduct complex interdictions in international waters while minimizing risk to personnel and avoiding damage to the vessel.
U.S. officials emphasized that these operations are aimed at upholding international law, preventing the illicit distribution of oil, and disrupting networks that finance unauthorized economic activity, including operations benefiting sanctioned regimes. By targeting vessels like the Olina, authorities aim to reinforce sanctions compliance, maintain stability in energy markets, and demonstrate a sustained maritime enforcement presence in the Caribbean and North Atlantic regions.
The Olina seizure underscores the complexity of maritime sanctions enforcement and the ongoing commitment of U.S. forces to address sanction-evasion tactics and uphold legal frameworks for international trade and security.
Footage of the operation is available below:
