BREAKING: U.S. Military Seizes 7th Crude Oil Tanker Linked To Venezuela In Caribbean Operation

The U.S. military has taken action against another tanker defying sanctions, marking the seventh vessel seized in connection with illegal Venezuelan oil trade. Southern Command announced this afternoon, January 20, that forces apprehended the tanker without incident, continuing the aggressive enforcement of President Trump’s quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean region. This latest seizure demonstrates the ongoing commitment to crushing illicit maritime activity in American waters.

Seventh Tanker Seized

Southern Command announced this afternoon that U.S. military forces have seized a seventh crude oil tanker linked to the Venezuelan oil trade. Few details were provided with the official statement, only confirming that the apprehension took place without incident. In announcing the seizure, the U.S. once again declared that “the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully.” Southern Command asserted that the tanker was “operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”

Ship Details And Background

The vessel, which had been sanctioned by the United States at the beginning of 2025, as well as facing sanctions by the European Union and the UK, operates differently than most shadow fleet tankers. Built in 2005, the tanker is 106,433 dwt and has been operating since 2022 under the name Sagitta. Unlike most of the shadow fleet, it has not bothered to change its name frequently, but is reported to have used what analysts call “zombie” identities to evade detection. This sophisticated deception tactic allows the vessel to continue operating while appearing to be a different ship entirely.

Tracking The Vessel’s Movements

The analytics service TankerTrackers.com reports that the ship had operated for three years exporting Russian oil, but appeared to stop after the January 2025 sanctions were imposed. However, the service reports the tanker was tracked exporting fuel oil out of Venezuela in August 2025, using one of its zombie aliases. This demonstrates how shadow fleet operators continue to find ways around international sanctions despite increased surveillance and enforcement efforts. The ability to track such vessels through satellite imagery and maritime databases has become crucial to enforcement operations.

Vessel’s Questionable Status

The Equasis database lists the vessel’s owners and managers as being in China, though the true beneficial ownership remains unclear. The ship was previously flagged in Panama and Liberia, but since 2024 has been operating without any flag registry at all. Lloyd’s Register lists its class certification as withdrawn in December 2024, meaning the vessel no longer meets international safety and quality standards. The last port state inspection appears to have been conducted in 2023, raising serious questions about the vessel’s operational condition and compliance with maritime regulations.

Ongoing Operation Details

Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of Defense is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and the Justice Department. The seizure comes as other reports have indicated some of the previously seized tankers were spotted off Puerto Rico, while the Bella 1 was last seen arriving in Scotland last week to re-provision. Trump has vowed the U.S. will seize shadow fleet tankers operating in the Caribbean and sell the oil, and like the Bella 1, today’s seizure appears to be of a vessel traveling only with ballast.

International Response

Russia’s Foreign Minister today asserted that the United States has not followed through on its commitment to release the two Russian crewmembers aboard a previously seized tanker. Sergey Lavrov told reporters in Moscow that “We were assured that a decision had been made at the highest level to secure their release.” He called on the U.S. to release the crew of the Bella 1 after Russia declared that the U.S. statement that the crew of the tanker might face prosecution is “categorically unacceptable.” This diplomatic tension underscores the complex international dimensions of the sanctions enforcement operation.