US Seizes Seventh Venezuelan Oil Tanker in Caribbean

The United States has seized a seventh oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean, according to U.S. Southern Command. The tanker, Motor Vessel Sagitta, was operating in defiance of President Trump's established quarantine of sanctioned vessels. The seizure is part of a larger effort by the U.S. to enforce sanctions on Venezuela and other nations. The U.S. has been building up a military presence in the Caribbean and has recently captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who are facing charges in New York. The U.S. is seeking to convince American oil companies to invest in Venezuela's oil reserves.

The US military seized a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker, Motor Vessel Sagitta, in the Caribbean on January 20 as part of a mission to curb illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere. This operation, known as #OpSouthernSpear, was conducted in partnership with the US Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and the Justice Department. The seizure is the seventh such operation since the US ramped up its campaign against Venezuela's illicit oil trade. US officials stated that the action demonstrates the country's resolve to ensure that only lawfully coordinated oil leaves Venezuela, emphasizing the security and stability of the American people.

The US military has seized a seventh oil tanker linked to Venezuela as part of the Trump administration's efforts to take control of the country's oil. The Motor Vessel Sagitta was apprehended without incident in the Caribbean, and is believed to have taken oil from Venezuela. The tanker is Liberian-flagged and owned by a company in Hong Kong, and was operating in defiance of US sanctions. The seizure is the latest in a series of actions by the US to restrict Venezuela's oil exports.