According to an industry source, the vessel Olina, which, according to Equasis database, improperly used the flag of East Timor, left Venezuela and was heading back to the region.
The British company Vanguard, which deals with maritime risks, reported that the last time the tanker’s tracking system was active was 52 days ago in the exclusive economic zone of Venezuela, northeast of Curaçao.
According to information, the tanker Olina left Venezuela last week fully loaded with oil, as part of a fleet shortly after the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, and was returning to the country with cargo after the blockade of Venezuelan oil exports, the source noted.
Later, the U.S. Southern Command confirmed the seizure of the tanker Olina through a post on the social network X, where a video was shared.
The statement emphasized: "Our unified interagency forces have once again sent a clear signal: there is no safe place for criminals."
The military reported that the operation was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Marines and sailors began actions from the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.
The command also stated that the entire operation was carried out "without incident."
