U.S. Forces Seize Seventh Venezuela-Linked Tanker

LEAD: U.S. Southern Command said in a social media post on Tuesday that U.S. military forces boarded and took control of the Motor Vessel Sagitta without incident, marking the seventh sanctioned tanker seized in operations targeting Venezuelan-linked oil.

CONTEXT: The Sagitta is a Liberian-flagged tanker whose international shipping registration lists ownership and management by a company in Hong Kong, and Treasury Department records show the vessel was sanctioned under an executive order related to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

RESPONSE: The Pentagon did not immediately respond to emailed questions about custody, while U.S. Southern Command said in its social media post that the capture "demonstrates our resolve" to ensure only lawfully coordinated oil leaves Venezuela.

SCALE: The Sagitta last transmitted its location more than two months ago when exiting the Baltic Sea, and officials said the seizure is the seventh U.S. capture since the first tanker was taken off Venezuela on Dec. 10 with six seizures in the Caribbean and one in the North Atlantic.

FORWARD: U.S. Southern Command identified the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department as partners in the operation, and officials have not announced whether the Sagitta will be transferred to the Coast Guard or face forfeiture proceedings, leaving legal and logistical next steps pending.