U.S. Forces Seize Motor Vessel Sagitta in Caribbean Interdiction Operation

WASHINGTON - On Tuesday morning, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) stated that U.S. military forces supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) apprehended the Motor Vessel Sagitta without incident in the Caribbean, framing the action as part of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR.

​The release says the operation targeted illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere and was conducted in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) through DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ), and it asserts that a quarantine on sanctioned vessels is intended to ensure Venezuelan oil exports are coordinated and lawful.

Operation Summary and Enforcement Action

According to the SOUTHCOM press release, the apprehension of the Motor Vessel Sagitta occurred in the Caribbean and was carried out by U.S. military forces supporting DHS, with no incident reported during the interdiction.

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​The release describes the action as part of a broader campaign to counter illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere and states that another tanker was operating in defiance of a U.S. quarantine of sanctioned vessels, framing the interdiction as an enforcement step tied to Venezuelan oil exports. The statement does not provide the vessel’s flag state, cargo volume, crew status, or the specific legal authorities confirming the interdiction.

​ Statements

• “Through Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with U.S. Coast Guard through the Department of Homeland Security and The Justice Department.” (U.S. Southern Command press release, Jan. 20, 2026)

• “This morning, U.S. military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended Motor Vessel Sagitta without incident. 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. 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.” (U.S. Southern Command press release, Jan. 20, 2026)

• “These operations are backed by the full power our elite joint force team deployed in the Caribbean.” (U.S. Southern Command press release, Jan. 20, 2026​