The U.S. military says it has carried out a strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing at least two people. According to U.S. Southern Command, the boat was operating along established narcotics-smuggling routes and was targeted based on intelligence assessments. The strike is part of Operation Southern Spear, launched by the Trump administration as part of its intensified campaign against Latin American drug cartels. However, rights groups and legal experts have raised concerns over the operation, questioning the evidence behind the strikes and warning about potential violations of international law.

U.S. military strike sinks suspected drug boat in Pacific, at least 2 killed 

The US military seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Friday (January 9) in a pre-dawn mission, the US Southern Command said. "In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford and apprehended Motor/Tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea without incident," the US Southern Command wrote in a post on X. "Apprehensions like this are backed by the full power of the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group, including the ready and lethal platforms of the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale," the statement added. “The Department of War’s Operation Southern Spear is unwavering in its mission to defend our homeland by ending illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-khamenei-is-looking-to-go-someplace-says-trump-as-protests-intensify-in-iran-1767963290206">‘Khamenei is looking to go someplace,’ says Trump as protests intensify in Iran</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: “there is no safe haven for criminals.” In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R.… <a href="https://t.co/StHo4ufcdx">pic.twitter.com/StHo4ufcdx</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2009632097858711656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This comes after the US seized two Venezuela-linked tankers earlier this week, which included a Russian-flagged vessel in the Atlantic Ocean and another tanker in the Caribbean Sea. The White House said this week that President Donald Trump has no intention of backing down from seizing oil tankers linked to sanctions violations, even as critics warn the moves could heighten tensions with Russia and China.&nbsp;“He’s going to enforce policies that are in the best interest of the United States,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday. “That includes cracking down on dark fleet vessels that are illegally transporting oil.” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the tanker Olina was suspected of being part of a so-called “ghost fleet” used to move embargoed oil. According to Noem, the tanker was seized after it left Venezuela and attempted to evade US forces.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/drills-focused-on-safety-of-shipping-maritime-economic-activity-draws-criticism-from-us-1767969369919/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/drills-focused-on-safety-of-shipping-maritime-economic-activity-draws-criticism-from-us-1767969369919/embed</a>&nbsp;Maritime risk firm Vanguard Tech said the vessel was trying to break through a US naval blockade in the Caribbean Sea. The Olina is the fifth tanker seized by US authorities in recent weeks. The company added that the ship’s tracking system had been switched off for more than 50 days and was last detected northeast of Curaçao. The seizure, it said, follows an extended effort by US forces to intercept tankers tied to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the region.

US military seizes another oil tanker in Caribbean Sea as Trump cracks down on Venezuela exports to Russia

The US military seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Friday (January 9) in a pre-dawn mission, the US Southern Command said. "In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford and apprehended Motor/Tanker Olina in the Caribbean Sea without incident," the US Southern Command wrote in a post on X. "Apprehensions like this are backed by the full power of the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group, including the ready and lethal platforms of the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale," the statement added. “The Department of War’s Operation Southern Spear is unwavering in its mission to defend our homeland by ending illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere.” Also Read: ‘Khamenei is looking to go someplace,’ says Trump as protests intensify in Iran

US military boarded an oil tanker on Friday (January 9) in a pre-dawn operation, the US Southern Command said in a statement

The United States has seized a second oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, as per the US Southern Command, marking another escalation in Washington’s efforts to crack down on illicit maritime oil trade. The vessel, identified as M/T Sophia, was intercepted during a pre-dawn operation in international waters. US officials described the tanker as a stateless, sanctioned “dark fleet” ship allegedly involved in illegal activities. The US Coast Guard has taken control of the vessel and is escorting it to the United States, where authorities will determine its final disposition.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-slams-us-demand-for-venezuela-oil-exclusively-calls-it-typical-bullying-1767794505500">China slams US demand for Venezuela oil exclusively, calls it ‘typical bullying’</a>&nbsp;Southern Command said the operation was carried out jointly by the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. Officials said that the tanker lacked a legitimate national registry at the time of interception, a factor that contributed to its classification as stateless under international maritime law. The seizure follows weeks of US pursuit tied to a separate tanker previously known as Marinera. That vessel was initially targeted last month in the Caribbean when it was suspected of transporting sanctioned oil shipments believed to be linked to Iran and Venezuela. After evading an attempted boarding, the tanker reportedly altered its route, changed its name, and re-registered under a Russian flag, having earlier falsely claimed Guyanese registration.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">In a pre-dawn action this morning, the Department of War, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident. The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and… <a href="https://t.co/JQm9gHprPk">pic.twitter.com/JQm9gHprPk</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2008905619424620879?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pete Hegseth, in a post on X, said, “The United States continues to enforce the blockade against all dark fleet vessels illegally transporting Venezuelan oil to finance illicit activity, stealing from the Venezuelan people. Only legitimate and lawful energy commerce—as determined by the U.S.—will be permitted.”&nbsp;US authorities allege the vessel has a history of transporting Venezuelan crude oil, though it was believed to be empty at the time of the seizure. During its flight from enforcement, the ship was tracked across the North Atlantic, with reports suggesting Russia deployed a submarine to assist in its escort.&nbsp;Tracking data showed the tanker abruptly shifted course southward and slowed to approximately eight knots earlier this week, placing it roughly 200 kilometers south of Iceland before US forces intervened. Southern Command reiterated that the tanker was engaged in illicit operations at the time of the interdiction. The latest seizure comes amid heightened US scrutiny of oil shipments tied to sanctioned states, including Russia and Venezuela, as Washington intensifies enforcement against vessels attempting to bypass international restrictions.<h2>Moscow slams US over use of force</h2>Moscow on Wednesday (January 7) condemned the United States following the seizure of a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic, after US forces tracked the vessel from the coast of Venezuela. "In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in waters on the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered under the jurisdiction of other states," Russia's transport ministry said in a statement.<h2>Tanker was ‘our vessel’, says Russia</h2>Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the situation surrounding the Russian oil tanker Marinera before its seizure. The ministry's statement, which was reported by the Tass news agency, said that a US Coast Guard vessel had been trailing the Marinera for several days, despite the tanker being located roughly 4,000 km from the US coastline. On Wednesday, maritime tracking platforms indicated that the ship was situated between Scotland and Iceland, heading north. A US official later verified that the vessel was indeed in the North Atlantic.

US seizes second Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Caribbean Sea; Moscow slams US over use of force

The United States has seized a second oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, as per the US Southern Command, marking another escalation in Washington’s efforts to crack down on illicit maritime oil trade. The vessel, identified as M/T Sophia, was intercepted during a pre-dawn operation in international waters. US officials described the tanker as a stateless, sanctioned “dark fleet” ship allegedly involved in illegal activities. The US Coast Guard has taken control of the vessel and is escorting it to the United States, where authorities will determine its final disposition. Also Read: China slams US demand for Venezuela oil exclusively, calls it ‘typical bullying’ Southern Command said the operation was carried out jointly by the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. Officials said that the tanker lacked a legitimate national registry at the time of interception, a factor that contributed to its classification as stateless under international maritime law. The seizure follows weeks of US pursuit tied to a separate tanker previously known as Marinera. That vessel was initially targeted last month in the Caribbean when it was suspected of transporting sanctioned oil shipments believed to be linked to Iran and Venezuela. After evading an attempted boarding, the tanker reportedly altered its route, changed its name, and re-registered under a Russian flag, having earlier falsely claimed Guyanese registration.

US forces have seized the sanctioned tanker M/T Sophia in the Caribbean Sea, alleging illicit activities; it’s now being escorted to the US after prior pursuit of another vessel

The head of US Southern Command says military officials are focusing on preparing for "the day after" Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro leaves power. Navy Adm. Craig Faller warned Monday against Venezuela's "formidable weapon system" and criticised Cuba, Russia and China for assisting Maduro.

Joint military exercises between Brazil and the US

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U.S. military strike sinks suspected drug boat in Pacific, at least 2 killed

US seizes another oil tanker as Trump cracks down on Venezuela exports to Russia

US seizes second Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Caribbean Sea; Moscow slams US

Joint military exercises between Brazil and the US