Between December 2025 and January 2026, U.S. forces intercepted at least six major tankers engaged in efforts to evade sanctions. These included the Olina (formerly Minerva M), seized in the Caribbean on January 9; the Bella 1, reflagged as Marinera with Russian registry, captured January 7 after an extended pursuit in the North Atlantic; and Vela 1, linked to Iran, also captured during the period. Other vessels, including Sophia and Marinera, were seized in international waters of the Caribbean and Atlantic. These operations are elements of Operation Southern Spear and Operation Lanza del Sur, designed to combat illicit activity, maintain regional security, and uphold U.S. strategic interests with coordination across naval amphibious groups such as USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale.
Parallel to maritime interdictions, the United States finalized initial sales of Venezuelan crude valued at approximately $2 billion, with an estimated $500 million held in U.S.-controlled accounts located in Qatar, designated as a neutral administration point to mitigate third-party seizure risks. The Trump administration plans to market between 30 and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil through collaboration with American companies, aiming to stabilize Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and economy while reinforcing U.S. influence over the country’s energy resources. White House officials emphasized ongoing dialogues with industry stakeholders for substantial investment in Venezuela’s petroleum sector restoration.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
