US seizes fifth oil tanker in ongoing Venezuela pressure efforts

US Seizes Another Oil Tanker in Caribbean Amid Ongoing Pressure Campaign Against Venezuela

The United States military has apprehended another oil tanker in the Caribbean, as part of its ongoing efforts to target vessels sanctioned by Washington. The Olina tanker was seized “without incident” by US forces, according to a statement from Southern Command on Friday.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the tanker had previously been sanctioned by the US for transporting Russian oil. This operation comes two days after US forces seized two other oil tankers, including the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker, also known as the Bella-1.

Russia has condemned the seizure of the crew from the Bella-1, calling it a “gross violation” of international maritime law and urging the US to release them. The US Department of Justice is investigating the crew for allegedly failing to comply with coastguard orders and will pursue charges.

Since seizing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, the US has pledged to maintain its blockade on sanctioned oil tankers. The country has also called on Venezuela to sever ties with Russia and China. US President Donald Trump has stated that the operation against Maduro, as well as continued sanctions and military pressure, is aimed at opening Venezuela’s vast oil reserves to US companies.

The US has previously seized several other tankers in the region, including the M Sophia and the Skipper tanker in December. The US Navy had also deployed ships to the area following a statement by four UN experts who said the blockade constituted an “illegal armed aggression” under international law.

Source: Al Jazeera