US seizes fifth oil tanker as Venezuela pressure campaign continues
Al Jazeera
Operation comes days after US seized Russian-flagged tanker; US pledges to continue blockade following Maduro abduction.
The United States military has seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean, as it continues to target vessels sanctioned by Washington in its pressure campaign against Venezuela.
In a statement on Friday, the US military Southern Command said its forces had “apprehended” the Olina tanker “without incident”.
It did not say why the tanker was targeted or offer further details on alleged violations. The Wall Street Journal reported the tanker had previously been sanctioned by Washington for transporting Russian oil.
The operation comes two days after US forces seized two oil tankers, including the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker, originally known as the Bella-1.
The US Department of Justice has since said it was investigating the crew of the ship, which was seized in the northern Atlantic, for failing to comply with coastguard orders and would pursue charges.
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Russian submarine and warship were in the vicinity of the Marinera as the US operation unfolded, news report says.
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