US Military Boards 3rd Oil Tanker in Indian Ocean, Tracking it from Caribbean/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. forces boarded a third sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean. The vessel, linked to Venezuelan oil smuggling networks, was carrying 1.9 million barrels of crude. The operation marks an escalation in Washington’s crackdown on illicit oil shipments tied to Nicolás Maduro.
US Military Boards Third Sanctioned Oil Tanker – Quick Looks
- U.S. forces intercepted tanker “Bertha” in Indian Ocean
- Vessel tracked from Caribbean after Venezuela crackdown
- Ship reportedly carried 1.9 million barrels of crude oil
- Linked to sanctions involving Venezuela and Iran
- At least 16 tankers fled Venezuelan coast after Maduro’s capture
- Pentagon releases helicopter boarding footage
- Unclear if tanker officially seized
Deep Look
The U.S. military has boarded a third sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it thousands of miles from the Caribbean Sea, intensifying Washington’s efforts to disrupt illicit crude shipments connected to Venezuela.
According to the United States Department of Defense, U.S. forces intercepted and boarded the tanker Bertha during an overnight maritime operation. The mission was described as a “right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding,” conducted after officials determined the vessel was operating in violation of U.S. sanctions policy.
From Caribbean to Indian Ocean
U.S. Southern Command said the vessel attempted to evade enforcement measures tied to President Donald Trump’s quarantine order targeting sanctioned oil tankers in the Caribbean.
“The vessel was operating in defiance of the established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean and attempted to evade,” Southern Command stated in a social media post. “From the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, we tracked it and stopped it.”
Video released by the Pentagon shows military helicopters approaching the tanker at sea, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the operation. Officials did not confirm whether the tanker has been formally seized or diverted under U.S. control.
Venezuela Sanctions and Maduro’s Capture
The interdiction comes amid heightened pressure on Venezuela following the apprehension of former President Nicolás Maduro, who was captured in January during a U.S. military operation. Maduro has pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges alleging cooperation with drug cartels to move large quantities of cocaine into the United States.
For years, Venezuela has faced sweeping U.S. sanctions on its oil exports. In response, the country relied on a so-called “shadow fleet” — vessels that allegedly used false flags, ship-to-ship transfers, and covert tracking methods — to funnel crude into global markets.
President Trump ordered a quarantine of sanctioned tankers in December, aiming to further squeeze Venezuela’s oil revenue before Maduro’s arrest.
The Tanker “Bertha” and Sanctions Ties
The Bertha, flagged to the Cook Islands, is listed under U.S. sanctions connected to Iran, according to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Analysts say the vessel has previously engaged in ship-to-ship transfers involving Iranian crude destined for Asian markets, including China.
Ship-tracking organization TankerTrackers.com reported that the Bertha was carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of crude oil at the time of interception. Satellite imagery and surface-level photography were used to trace the ship’s movements across international waters.
According to TankerTrackers.com co-founder Samir Madani, at least 16 tankers fled the Venezuelan coast following Maduro’s capture. The Bertha was reportedly the last of the original group still being pursued by U.S. authorities.
Expanding Maritime Enforcement
The operation signals a widening geographic scope in U.S. maritime enforcement. While prior interdictions largely focused on Caribbean waters, the pursuit into the Indian Ocean demonstrates Washington’s willingness to track sanctioned vessels across multiple regions.
Legal experts note that maritime interdictions fall under international law provisions allowing warships to board vessels suspected of violating sanctions or engaging in illicit trade. However, questions remain about jurisdiction, ultimate seizure authority, and the disposition of confiscated cargo.
The Pentagon declined to provide additional details beyond Southern Command’s initial statement.
Strategic and Economic Implications
The move could further strain global oil markets already navigating supply volatility. Removing nearly 2 million barrels of crude from circulation — if the shipment is ultimately seized — may contribute to short-term pricing fluctuations.
At the same time, U.S. officials argue that cracking down on sanctions evasion networks is critical to enforcing foreign policy objectives. Washington has increasingly targeted logistics chains, shipping insurers, and maritime registries linked to illicit oil flows.
Analysts say the operation also sends a broader signal to other nations and commercial entities engaged in sanctions-sensitive trade: U.S. monitoring capabilities extend far beyond regional waters.
What Happens Next?
It remains unclear whether the Bertha will be diverted to a U.S.-controlled port or subject to asset forfeiture proceedings. In previous cases, seized oil cargoes were sold under court supervision, with proceeds directed according to U.S. legal frameworks.
As enforcement operations continue, maritime tracking groups and energy markets alike are watching closely to see whether additional tankers linked to Venezuelan or Iranian networks attempt similar evasive routes.
The latest boarding underscores Washington’s expanding maritime strategy — one that now stretches from the Caribbean basin deep into the Indian Ocean.
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