Diyar Guldogan
January 21, 2026•Update: January 21, 2026
WASHINGTON
US forces seized another sanctioned oil tanker linked with Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea as part of efforts to combat illicit activity throughout the Western Hemisphere, the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said Tuesday.
"This morning, U.S. military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended Motor Vessel Sagitta without incident," SOUTHCOM said on the US social media company X’s platform, sharing unclassified videos of the operation.
It said the tanker was operating in defiance of US President Donald Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the region — a measure aimed at enforcing US sanctions and ensuring that only legally coordinated oil leaves Venezuela.
"As the joint force operates in the Western Hemisphere, we reaffirm that the security of the American people is paramount, demonstrating our commitment to safety and stability," it added.
The Trump administration has intensified military operations in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean since September, citing efforts against narcotics trafficking.
