U.S. Military Seizes Seventh Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker in Caribbean

U.S. Apprehends M/V Sagitta

The United States military announced on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the apprehension of the Motor Vessel Sagitta in the Caribbean Sea. This incident marks the seventh such seizure of a Venezuela-linked oil tanker by U.S. forces, undertaken as part of the Trump administration's broader initiative to regulate Venezuela's oil exports and disrupt illicit maritime operations. The U.S. Southern Command stated that the apprehension occurred 'without incident'.

U.S. officials indicated that the Sagitta was operating 'in defiance of President Trump's established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean'. The tanker, reportedly Liberian-flagged and managed by a Hong Kong-based company, had been previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department. While initially sanctioned under an executive order related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Southern Command's statement suggested the vessel had taken on Venezuelan oil.

Context of 'Operation Southern Spear'

This latest seizure falls under the umbrella of 'Operation Southern Spear', a comprehensive effort by the Trump administration to assert control over Venezuela's oil resources. The campaign intensified following the ousting and detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise operation on January 3, 2026. Since then, the U.S. has articulated plans to indefinitely control Venezuela's oil resources, aiming to rebuild the country's dilapidated oil industry through a proposed $100 billion investment.

The U.S. Department of War, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice, has been actively involved in these interdictions. The stated goal is to ensure that 'the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully'.

Previous Tanker Seizures and Venezuelan Response

The seizure of the Sagitta follows a series of similar actions. The first tanker, the Skipper, was reportedly seized on December 10, 2025, off the coast of Venezuela. Other vessels apprehended include the Motor Tanker Veronica, identified as the sixth seizure, and the Marinera (formerly Bella 1), a Russian-flagged tanker, along with the Olina and Sophia.

The Venezuelan government has vehemently condemned these actions, characterizing them as 'blatant theft' and an 'act of international piracy'. Critics have also raised questions regarding the legality of using military force to regulate oil exports, citing concerns over sovereignty and international maritime law.

Future of Seized Oil and Venezuela's Economy

The Trump administration has indicated its intention to sell the oil cargos confiscated from these vessels. Proceeds from these sales are reportedly being directed into international bank accounts under U.S. control, with the ultimate aim of funding the reconstruction of Venezuela's oil industry. President Trump has previously stated that the U.S. had already taken 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela and planned to sell it on the open market.