The U.S. Detained Another Tanker in the Caribbean Sea 0 12

The motor vessel Sagitta violated the blockade imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump against tankers subject to sanctions, according to a SOUTHCOM statement on the X platform.

Through #OpSouthernSpear, the @DeptofWar is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with @USCG, @DHSgov and @TheJusticeDept.

This morning, U.S. military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended… pic.twitter.com/UPADtiw681

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 20, 2026

The U.S. has committed to "ensure that only oil from Venezuela that is properly and legally coordinated is exported," SOUTHCOM stated, adding that the operation was conducted "without incident."

This is the seventh tanker detained in recent weeks after Trump announced a "full blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers" heading to or from Venezuela.

Trump accuses Venezuela of stealing oil, land, and other assets from the U.S. and stated that these assets need to be returned.

The U.S. has significantly increased its presence in the Caribbean Sea. In recent months, additional combat aircraft and the world's largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, have been deployed to the region.

On January 3, U.S. armed forces detained authoritarian Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a military operation in Caracas and brought him to the U.S. Maduro faces drug trafficking charges in a New York court.

Trump has indicated that the U.S. intends to control Venezuela's oil trade as a means of pressuring the government in Caracas.