The operation was part of a broader U.S. strategy aimed at combating illegal activities. "This morning, our interagency forces reaffirmed that criminals will not find refuge. During the operation conducted at dawn, Marines and sailors from the Southern Spear operational group, with the support of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, intercepted the tanker Olina, which had departed from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford," the Southern Command stated on the platform X.
The post also notes that the arrests are being carried out with the help of a powerful amphibious strike group of the U.S. Navy, including operational ships such as the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale. "Operation Southern Spear of the U.S. Department of Defense steadfastly fulfills its mission to protect the country and curb illegal activities, restoring security in the Western Hemisphere," the publication emphasizes.
According to The Bell, the registration number of the tanker Olina matches that of another tanker, Minerva M, which was sanctioned by the U.S. in January 2025 for participating in the transportation of Russian oil in violation of Western restrictions.
According to Reuters, Olina sails under the flag of East Timor. The last information about the vessel's location was transmitted 52 days ago when it was off the coast of Venezuela. This data was obtained from the British maritime risk management company Vanguard.
The seizure of Olina marked the fifth interception of tankers as part of U.S. operations aimed at curbing oil exports from Venezuela. According to U.S. authorities, about 70% of Venezuelan oil is exported using vessels from the "shadow fleet."
Previously, the U.S. also seized the tanker Bella 1 in the Atlantic Ocean, which belongs to a Russian company. This vessel had evaded American military pursuit for over two weeks and was under the protection of Russian naval forces.
In response to these actions, Russia accused the U.S. of unlawful use of force.
