US Seizes Sixth Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker in Caribbean Sea
US Seizes Sixth Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker in Caribbean Sea
US forces seize the sixth Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the Caribbean as Washington tightens sanctions and targets illicit oil shipments, continuing pressure on Maduro's regime.
US forces seized the tanker Veronica, a sixth vessel linked to Venezuela, in a predawn operation in the Caribbean Sea, according to the US Southern Command. The operation was described as incident-free as Marines and sailors boarded the vessel and secured it without resistance.
Officials said the seizure is part of a broader push to crack down on the so-called dark fleet and to ensure oil leaving Venezuela is coordinated legally. Veronica sailed under a Guyanese flag and had departed Venezuelan waters empty in early January. Records show the tanker was previously registered in Russia under different names. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the seizure was carried out with close coordination with military, state, and justice departments, praising the Coast Guard for its role.
Analysts describe the move as part of ongoing pressure after recent actions against Venezuela’s leadership and as Washington signals it will continue to monitor and curb oil shipments. The broader aim is to keep sanctions in effect and to manage Venezuela’s oil sales, with reports that the first sale of Venezuelan oil valued at about $500 million occurred earlier this month.
