In a surprising turn of events, the Venezuelan Ministry of Petroleum and state-owned oil company PDVSA have announced a joint operation with the United States to recover the oil tanker Minerva. According to a joint statement released Friday, the vessel had been sailing without proper authorization or payment to Venezuelan authorities.
The statement alleges the Minerva departed Venezuelan waters illegally, prompting collaborative action between the two nations, despite existing tensions. Details surrounding the operation remain scarce, but the involvement of both Venezuelan and US forces suggests a complex and carefully coordinated effort.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense has reiterated its commitment to intercepting vessels involved in transporting Venezuelan oil, referring to them as part of a “shadow fleet.” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that several tankers, presumably involved in illicit oil transport, have altered their course to avoid interception.
“Our blockade in the Caribbean remains fully in effect and is highly effective,” Parnell asserted, signaling a continued US presence and vigilance in the region.
Separately, the United States announced the seizure of another oil tanker, the Olena, which had sailed from Venezuela. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Noem stated via social media that the Olena, flying the flag of Timor-Leste, was suspected of transporting sanctioned oil and was seized after attempting to evade US forces.
The US Southern Command confirmed that US Marines and Navy personnel, operating from the USS Gerald Ford, intercepted the Olena in the Caribbean Sea without incident. A statement emphasized that this action sends a clear message: “There is no safe haven for criminals.”
These developments occur amidst heightened scrutiny of Venezuelan oil exports and ongoing US sanctions. The seizure of the Olena marks the fifth such interception in recent weeks, highlighting the US’s continued efforts to enforce its sanctions policy against Caracas. The joint operation to recover the Minerva, however, presents a potentially new dynamic in US-Venezuelan relations, prompting speculation about future cooperation.
