US forces seized a seventh oil tanker linked to Venezuela on Tuesday, the latest move in a broader campaign to control the South American country’s oil exports. The Motor Vessel Sagitta, a Liberian-flagged tanker, was apprehended in the Caribbean without incident, according to US Southern Command.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The seizure marks the seventh such operation under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has imposed a “quarantine” on sanctioned vessels in the region. The Sagitta was operating in defiance of US sanctions, which were imposed under an executive order related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The tanker had reportedly taken oil from Venezuela before being intercepted.
Deeper Dive & Context
Background on the Seizures
The US military has been systematically targeting vessels linked to Venezuela’s oil industry, part of a broader effort to assert control over the country’s oil resources. Previous seizures involved ships either under US sanctions or part of a “shadow fleet” used to transport oil from sanctioned producers like Iran, Russia, or Venezuela.
US Justification and Policy
US Southern Command stated the operation “demonstrates our resolve to ensure that the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully.” The Trump administration has framed these actions as part of a mission to crush illicit activity and ensure regional stability. The Pentagon has not yet provided additional details on the operation.
Opposing Perspectives
Critics, including environmentalists and some US oil giants, have raised concerns over the administration’s $100 billion plan to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry. The plan has been met with skepticism, particularly regarding its long-term viability and environmental impact.
Broader Implications
The seizures come amid heightened US focus on Venezuela, including a surprise nighttime raid on January 3 that resulted in the ouster of President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration has indicated plans to control Venezuela’s oil production, refining, and global distribution indefinitely. The operations are part of #OpSouthernSpear, a joint effort involving the US Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and the Justice Department.
The Sagitta, owned and managed by a Hong Kong-based company, last transmitted its location over two months ago when exiting the Baltic Sea. The US military has not confirmed whether the Coast Guard was involved in this latest seizure, as was the case in prior operations.