US Takes Control of Seventh Tanker Tied to Venezuelan Oil Shipments
US forces have seized a seventh oil tanker connected to Venezuelan crude movements, tightening enforcement against sanctioned shipping in the Caribbean. The latest operation, reported by NextShip and confirmed by U.S. Southern Command (X), reflects Washington’s ongoing effort to control oil flows linked to Venezuela.
The tanker, Sagitta, was boarded on Tuesday and added to a growing list of vessels targeted under US sanctions policy. Registry data show the ship is owned and managed by a Hong Kong-based company. It was sanctioned by both the US and the UK more than a year ago for transporting Russian oil, before reportedly shifting operations toward Venezuelan trades under an unclear flag.
US Southern Command said the seizure demonstrates its resolve to enforce a quarantine on sanctioned vessels in the region. With dozens of additional seizure warrants already in play, Washington is preparing further action against the shadow fleet moving Venezuelan oil, as part of a broader campaign to maintain control over the country’s energy exports and stabilize its weakened oil sector.
