New York, (EFE).- This Friday, United States forces detained the tanker Olina in the Caribbean, in an operation between the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, according to Southern Command. The action involved Marines from the Joint Task Force Southern Lance, who took off from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. US leadership stated that this action sends a message that there is no place for criminals, in the context of the government’s efforts to combat illegal activities on the American continent. However, authorities did not specify how many people were arrested and highlighted that the operation was carried out without opposition. In a statement on X, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterised the ‘Olina’ as a member of the «phantom fleet», which consists of tankers suspected of carrying oil under embargo and attempting to evade US forces through flag changes or routes. According to Noem, the ship had departed from Venezuela before being detained.
