United States forces have recently escalated their campaign against illicit oil trade by seizing multiple tankers, with the latest being the 'Olina' in the Caribbean Sea. This particular interception marks the fifth such vessel seized in recent weeks by the U.S. as part of its efforts to enforce sanctions against Venezuela. U.S. Southern Command confirmed the operation, carried out by Marines and sailors with support from the Department of Homeland Security. The Olina, described by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as a 'ghost fleet' tanker, had reportedly departed Venezuela and was attempting to evade U.S. forces by running dark with its location beacon turned off. The vessel has a cargo capacity of up to 890,000 barrels of oil, valued at approximately $53 million. Just two days prior, on January 7, 2026, U.S. forces conducted back-to-back operations, seizing two other sanctioned oil tankers: the 'Marinera' (formerly Bella 1) in the North Atlantic and the 'M/T Sophia' in the Caribbean. Both ships were linked to Venezuela's sanctioned oil trade, with the Marinera also having ties to Iran-backed Hezbollah and attempting to re-flag as a Russian vessel. These vessels are part of a larger 'shadow fleet' or 'ghost fleet' used by nations like Venezuela, Iran, and Russia to bypass international sanctions, primarily transporting oil to customers in Asia. The seizures are part of a broader strategy by the U.S. administration to control Venezuela's oil distribution following the U.S. opposition to President Nicolás Maduro's government, signaling Washington's determination to disrupt these illicit funding streams globally. Russia has condemned these seizures, calling them violations of international law.