The US forces seized yet another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, the military said on Friday, as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on sanctioned vessels travelling to and from Venezuela.

The pre-dawn operation was carried out by US Marines and Navy personnel as part of a months-long buildup of forces in the region, according to US Southern Command. Announcing the seizure of the vessel, named Olina, the command said there was "no safe haven for criminals," reported international news agency Associated Press.

The Olina is the fifth tanker seized by US forces under a wider effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control the global distribution of Venezuelan oil products following the US ouster of President Nicolas Maduro in a surprise overnight raid.

Navy officials did not immediately say whether the Coast Guard was involved in taking control of the vessel, as it had been in previous seizures. A US Coast Guard spokesperson said there was no immediate comment on the action.

The latest seizure comes two days after U.S. forces boarded a Russian-flagged oil tanker coming out of Venezuela in the North Atlantic following a weekslong pursuit that drew in Russian naval assets and was carried out with the knowledge and approval of the United Kingdom. The seizure has drawn a sharp response from Moscow, with Russia’s Transport Ministry saying that “no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in other states’ jurisdictions.”

At least three Indians were among the 28member crew of the Russianflagged vessel Marinera. After the seizure, Moscow asked Washington to ensure dignified and humane treatment for all the crew members who have been detained and urged that all foreign nationals be released as soon as possible.

Source: India Today