U.S. seizes fifth Venezuela-linked oil tanker

U.S. officials said the oil tanker Olina was seized in the Caribbean without incident and that it is the fifth Venezuela-linked vessel targeted in recent weeks. How authorities will proceed with other tankers was reported as undetermined.

The United States seized the oil tanker Olina in the Caribbean, U.S. officials said. The move was described as part of a series of actions in recent weeks aimed at restricting Venezuelan oil shipments. Public shipping records and industry sources reported the Olina had sailed from Venezuela and was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste. U.S. officials said the ship was apprehended without incident. Key facts: - U.S. officials reported the Olina was seized in the Caribbean and that the operation was carried out without incident. - Public records and an industry source said the vessel had departed from Venezuela and had been falsely flying the Timor Leste flag; U.S. sanctions had been imposed on the ship last year under the name Minerva M. - The seizure was described as the fifth recent action against vessels linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil; industry sources said several other tankers from the same flotilla had returned to Venezuelan waters or were en route, and further U.S. actions on those ships were unclear. Summary: The seizure underscores an intensified U.S. effort to curb sanctioned Venezuelan oil exports and follows recent actions against several tankers. Undetermined at this time.