U.S. Southern Command announced Tuesday, January 20, that American military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended the Motor Vessel Sagitta without incident as part of Operation Southern Spear, a broad maritime interdiction effort targeting illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere.
In a statement on social media, Southern Command said the Sagitta was seized for operating in defiance of President Donald Trump’s established quarantine on sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. “The apprehension of another tanker operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean demonstrates our resolve to ensure that the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully,” the command wrote. The operation was carried out in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice, underscoring a coordinated, interagency effort.
Through #OpSouthernSpear, the @DeptofWar is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with @USCG, @DHSgov and @TheJusticeDept.
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 20, 2026
This morning, U.S. military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended… pic.twitter.com/UPADtiw681
Southern Command emphasized that the mission reflects an “unwavering” commitment to crushing illicit activity and reaffirmed that the security of the American people remains paramount. “As the joint force operates in the Western Hemisphere, we reaffirm that the security of the American people is paramount, demonstrating our commitment to safety and stability,” the statement said.
Operation Southern Spear, a sustained campaign under U.S. Southern Command, has repeatedly targeted sanctioned or “dark fleet” tankers linked to Venezuela’s oil trade, which the United States says are being used to evade sanctions and facilitate illegal petroleum exports. Recent months have seen multiple interdictions of similarly sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean and beyond, aimed at enforcing U.S. energy restrictions and disrupting networks that Washington says undermine regional security. Previous operations have involved Marine, Navy, and Coast Guard elements boarding and seizing tankers found to be violating U.S. embargoes.
The apprehension of the Sagitta comes amid an expanded U.S. military and interagency presence in the Caribbean, with officials describing the effort as a key component of broader national security objectives. Southern Command noted that the Sagitta seizure was backed by the full power of the joint force deployed in the region, reflecting continued emphasis on maritime interdiction and regional stability.
The operation highlights the Trump administration’s sustained push to enforce sanctions and disrupt illicit oil movements tied to countries and networks deemed adversarial to U.S. interests, reinforcing a message that unauthorized petroleum shipments will not be tolerated in international waters.
