The United States has intercepted and seized another sanctioned oil tanker, raising the stakes in its crackdown on so-called “ghost fleet” vessels carrying embargoed Venezuelan crude. This latest seizure took place in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea and marks the fifth tanker seized under the Trump administration's sanctions enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the operation. "The world’s criminals are on notice," she said. The motor tanker Olina had left Venezuela and tried to avoid US forces before being boarded and seized by the US Coast Guard. Noem described the ship as part of a shadow fleet suspected of moving embargoed oil. The operation involved close coordination between the Defense, State, and Justice Departments. It was done in line with international law. "The ghost fleets will not outrun justice. They will not hide under false claims of nationality," Noem added. She said the Coast Guard will continue seizing sanctioned tankers and cutting off funding linked to illegal activities like narco-terrorism. "This is owning the sea." Russia has strongly condemned the US action. Moscow called it a “gross violation” of international maritime law. Russia insists the vessel was authorized to sail under its flag and accused the US of risking escalation in the Euro-Atlantic region. The Russian foreign ministry said Washington’s sanctions lack legitimacy. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet officially commented, although hawkish voices in Moscow expressed anger. Washington defends the seizures as lawful efforts to enforce sanctions against Venezuela. US officials say only approved channels meeting American law and security interests can ship Venezuelan crude. The US European Command said an earlier seized vessel violated sanctions by trying to change its name and flag to evade restrictions.