U.S. Southern Command announced that U.S. military forces, acting in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended the Motor Vessel Sagitta without incident in the Caribbean Sea on January 20, 2026. This operation marks the seventh such seizure of a Venezuelan‑linked oil tanker since President Trump established a maritime quarantine on sanctioned vessels in the region.

In a public statement, SOUTHCOM emphasized that the Sagitta was operating in direct defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels, underscoring the U.S. commitment to enforcing sanctions and regulating Venezuela’s petroleum exports. U.S. officials stated that the measures are intended to ensure that “the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully,” reinforcing the broader objectives of regional security and legal compliance.

Unclassified aerial footage released by SOUTHCOM shows the tanker at sea prior to its boarding. According to official accounts, the military’s intervention occurred without any reported injuries or resistance, reflecting a coordinated and controlled interception by U.S. forces.

The Sagitta—a Liberian‑flagged tanker managed by a Hong Kong‑based company—was previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department under broad economic penalties tied to Venezuela and linked sanctions programs. The boardings and seizures are part of an expanded U.S. campaign to intercept vessels involved in illicit oil shipments from sanctioned regions.

These interdictions have taken place against a backdrop of heightened U.S. pressure on Venezuela following political upheavals earlier in January, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S.‑led operation. The series of seizures reflect an assertive U.S. posture aimed at controlling Venezuela’s oil assets, enforcing sanctions, and dissuading illegal trade operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

U.S. officials highlight that these actions are part of a sustained enforcement strategy involving multiple agencies and military assets. They argue that maintaining strict oversight over oil exports enhances both regional stability and the security of the American people by disrupting revenue channels for sanctioned regimes and illicit networks.