Since early December 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard, in collaboration with other military branches, has boarded and seized five oil tankers accused of transporting Venezuelan oil, which has been under U.S. sanctions since the Trump administration's campaign against the Venezuelan government began. The most recent seizure involved the tanker Olina, previously known as Minerva M, which is set to return to Venezuela to offload oil as part of a deal negotiated by Trump with the interim government.

This operation is part of what Trump has termed a "blockade" of sanctioned vessels, a strategy that has been in place since the U.S. military operation that led to the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who faces drug trafficking charges in the U.S. The process for seizing a ship typically involves elite Coast Guard personnel and various Pentagon components, activated through an interagency framework known as the Maritime Operational Threat Response (MOTR). Established post-9/11, MOTR coordinates efforts among the Pentagon, White House, and departments such as Homeland Security and Justice to determine the next steps for seized vessels and their crews.

In the recent operations, four of the five ships did not resist boarding, while the Bella 1 was pursued across the Atlantic before being boarded by U.S. Navy Seals. The U.S. has released footage of these operations, showcasing military personnel boarding the vessels. Following seizure, the destination of the tankers depends on any legal cases brought by the Justice Department. Historically, seized vessels have been taken to ports like Tampa, Florida. The Trump administration plans to utilize the oil from these tankers, with potential destinations along the Gulf Coast, where much of the U.S. oil industry is located. The Coast Guard is reportedly seeking additional resources to ensure the seized ships meet safety requirements for U.S. ports.

If the tankers contain oil, it will be impounded and possibly auctioned, with proceeds managed by the Treasury Department. Once emptied, the ships may also be auctioned, contributing to the Treasury's Asset Forfeiture Fund. The Coast Guard, with approximately 51,000 personnel, faces challenges in capacity as it undertakes these seizures regularly. The agency received a significant funding boost of $25 billion from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is intended to enhance its capabilities, although other military branches will also be involved due to the complexity of these operations.

On January 3, 2026, U.S. special forces executed a military operation that resulted in the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro. Following the operation, President Trump characterized the action as a pursuit of justice, despite the implications of violating Venezuela's sovereignty. This intervention reflects a broader trend of external powers influencing the internal affairs of nations, raising concerns about the autonomy of affected populations.

Critics argue that such interventions undermine the established international legal framework, often referred to as the rules-based order, which emerged after World War II to promote peaceful relations among nations and uphold principles of self-determination and equal rights. The U.S. and its allies have historically positioned themselves as defenders of this order, yet their actions have frequently contradicted these principles, particularly in military interventions. The current geopolitical landscape reflects a shift in power dynamics, with emerging economies like China and India challenging U.S. dominance. The Trump administration's National Security Strategy acknowledges this shift, indicating a departure from the previous commitment to uphold the rules-based order, instead prioritizing U.S. national interests and focusing on the Western hemisphere, reminiscent of the Monroe Doctrine. This evolving approach to foreign policy suggests a recognition of the limitations of U.S. influence and the complexities of a multipolar world, with significant implications for global governance and the rights of nations to self-determination.