US Seizes Sanctioned Oil Tanker 'Olina' in Caribbean, Fifth Vessel Apprehended in Venezuela Blockade

• The US Coast Guard seized the sanctioned stateless oil tanker 'Olina' in the Caribbean Sea for attempting to break the Venezuelan blockade.
• This marks the fifth vessel apprehended in recent weeks as the US took control of Venezuelan oil exports.
• The 'Olina', previously named Minerva M, was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste and had sailed from Venezuela fully loaded with oil.
• US Southern Command confirmed the apprehension by Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, launched from the USS Gerald R Ford.
• Washington imposed sanctions on the tanker last year, identifying it as part of a 'shadow fleet' carrying embargoed oil for countries like Venezuela, Russia, and Iran.

Why It Matters: US seizes fifth oil tanker 'Olina' in Caribbean, enforcing Venezuela blockade and targeting 'shadow fleet'.