U.S. Military Captures Seventh Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tanker

The U.S. military has successfully captured its seventh sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to control Venezuelan oil resources and was conducted on a Tuesday.

Capture of the Motor Vessel Sagitta

The U.S. Southern Command announced the boarding of the Motor Vessel Sagitta. This capture occurred without incident in the Caribbean. The tanker was reportedly defying a quarantine established by former President Donald Trump regarding sanctioned vessels.

Details of the Capture

While the military command did not specify if the U.S. Coast Guard was involved in this apprehension, they confirmed the operation’s success. The Sagitta is a Liberian-flagged tanker, managed by a company based in Hong Kong. Its last known location was over two months ago when it departed the Baltic Sea in northern Europe.

Background on Sanctions

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the Sagitta under an executive order linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This vessel allegedly transported oil from Venezuela, reinforcing U.S. commitments to ensure that any oil exported from the country is handled lawfully.

Policy Implications

• The capture demonstrates U.S. resolve to manage Venezuelan oil exports.
• Under the Trump administration, efforts to control Venezuela’s oil industry escalated following the ousting of Nicolás Maduro on January 3.
• Trump’s administration has aimed to generate funds from seized tankers to invest in Venezuela’s oil sector, targeting $100 billion in investments.

Ongoing Operations

The first sanctioned tanker was seized off Venezuela’s coast on December 10. Most subsequent captures have occurred in nearby waters, except for the Bella 1, which was intercepted in the North Atlantic.

On December 15, the Bella 1 changed course towards Europe before its capture on January 8. Statements from Trump suggest that the U.S. has taken 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela, with plans for additional sales to lower oil prices globally.