U.S. military personnel successfully boarded and gained control of a seventh oil tanker associated with Venezuela on Tuesday, as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to manage the oil resources in the South American nation. The U.S. Southern Command announced via social media that the Motor Vessel Sagitta was detained “without incident” for operating in defiance of President Trump’s maritime restrictions on sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. However, the specific involvement of the U.S. Coast Guard in this seizure was not disclosed this time.
The Sagitta, a Liberian-flagged vessel reportedly owned and operated by a Hong Kong-based company, was last tracked more than two months ago exiting the Baltic Sea in northern Europe. The tanker had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department under an executive order linked to Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in 2022.
While the Pentagon and Southern Command declined to provide additional information upon request, the Southern Command’s post suggested that the ship had loaded oil from Venezuela. The capture of the tanker was described as a demonstration of the commitment to ensuring that Venezuelan oil exports comply with legal procedures.
Following the unexpected removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, the Trump administration has actively pursued control over the production, refining, and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products. Official statements from the administration have underscored its intention to monetize the seized tankers to support the restoration of Venezuela’s oil sector and economy.
President Trump recently convened meetings with oil industry executives to discuss plans for investing $100 billion in Venezuela for oil infrastructure enhancements. Trump mentioned that the U.S. had already extracted 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela and anticipated selling a substantial amount on the open market.
The initial tanker seizure occurred on December 10 off the coast of Venezuela, with subsequent captures predominantly in the vicinity of Venezuela, except for the Bella 1, which was intercepted in the North Atlantic. The Bella 1 altered its course towards Europe on December 15 after cruising across the Atlantic, eventually being apprehended on January 8.
After forcibly removing Maduro from power, President Trump declared U.S. control over Venezuela for an unspecified period. Delcy RodrÃguez, the former vice-president under Maduro, assumed the role of interim president following his ouster. RodrÃguez disclosed that Venezuela had received $300 million from oil sales as part of the oil supply agreement with the U.S.
The U.S. military buildup in the region, along with the series of tanker seizures and strikes on alleged drug vessels off Venezuela’s coast, intensified pressure on Caracas prior to Maduro’s removal. This escalation prompted speculation about potential U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.