US EditionUS forces in Caribbean seize seventh sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela
U.S. forces seized the seventh Venezuelan-linked tanker to enforce sanctions and a maritime quarantine, with 50 million barrels of oil already taken, officials said.
- U.S. Southern Command announced Tuesday that joint U.S. military forces seized the Liberian-flagged Motor Vessel Sagitta in the Caribbean Sea on January 20, 2026, marking the seventh Venezuela-linked tanker taken since the December 17 blockade.
- Since the Jan. 3 ouster of Nicolás Maduro, the administration has prioritized control of Venezuela's oil resources, with SOUTHCOM saying tankers operate in defiance of a quarantine ordered by President Donald Trump.
- SOUTHCOM said troops boarded and seized the Sagitta without incident, posting unclassified aerial footage and confirming the operation involved the U.S. Coast Guard and DHS; the Liberian-flagged ship used zombie identities and last transmitted location over two months ago.
- SOUTHCOM said the Sagitta will be processed similarly to earlier captured tankers, while U.S. officials report seized oil is sold openly and Delcy Rodríguez said Venezuela received $300 million from sales.
- Observers warn the seizures add strain to already tense regional diplomacy as international law experts say the blockade and strikes have killed more than 120 people, and the U.S. military build-up in the Caribbean raises invasion questions.
224 Articles
224 Articles
US seizes second Chinese-owned, Venezuela-linked oil tanker
US forces on Tuesday seized a seventh oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea linked to Venezuela as President Donald Trump’s military campaign to control the source of the world’s largest petroleum reserves continued. According to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), troops boarded and seized the MV Sagitta Tuesday morning “without incident.” “The apprehension of another tanker operating in defiance of President Trump’s established […] The post US seizes se…
u.s. Forces Seize 7th Sanctioned Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuela in Trump's Effort to Control Its Oil
U.S. military forces boarded and took control of a seventh oil vessel connected to Venezuela on Tuesday as part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to take control of the South American country’s oil. U.S. Southern Command said in a social media post that U.S. forces stopped the Sagitta motor ship “without incident” and that the oil tanker was operating in defiance of the “quarantine established by President Donald Trump for ships sanc…
US seizes seventh Venezuelan tanker
The US seized a seventh Venezuela-linked oil tanker, further consolidating its control over the Latin American nation’s crude industry.Since ousting former President Nicolás Maduro, Washington has tightened its authority over Venezuela, selling its oil abroad — US President Donald Trump said Tuesday his country had taken 50 million barrels out of the country — and was instrumental in pushing Caracas to ease its foreign investment rules in order …
Washington. U.S. military forces boarded and took command of a seventh oil vessel linked to Venezuela on Tuesday, while President Donald Trump’s government continues its efforts to take control of the South American country’s hydrocarbons.
The Billings Gazette
US seizes 7th oil tanker linked to Venezuela
WASHINGTON — U.S. military forces boarded and took control of a seventh oil tanker connected with Venezuela on Tuesday as the Trump administration continues its efforts to take control of the oil in the South American country.
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