U.S. Seizes Another Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker in Caribbean/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. forces have seized another oil tanker allegedly tied to Venezuela’s sanctioned oil trade. The vessel, Veronica, was boarded without incident in the Caribbean as part of Trump’s ongoing strategy to control Venezuelan oil. It marks the sixth such seizure by the U.S.
U.S. Captures Sanctioned Tanker: Quick Looks
- U.S. seizes oil tanker Veronica operating near Venezuelan waters
- Marines, sailors, and Coast Guard boarded the vessel without resistance
- Operation part of enforcement against Venezuela’s shadow oil fleet
- Sixth sanctioned ship seized in recent Trump-era operations
- Vessel was partially filled with crude when last tracked
- Tanker previously operated under names Galileo and Pegas
- Tied to Russian ownership and previously sanctioned activity
- Trump aims to sell 30-50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil
- Seizures framed as enforcing sanctions and rebuilding Venezuela’s oil sector
- Trump met with oil executives about $100 billion investment plan
Deep Look: U.S. Seizes Another Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker in Caribbean
WASHINGTON — U.S. military forces in the Caribbean have intercepted and seized another oil tanker as part of the Trump administration’s campaign to enforce sanctions against Venezuela and assert control over the country’s oil industry. The ship, named Veronica, was boarded by U.S. personnel early Thursday and taken without incident.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the operation on social media, saying the ship had previously sailed through Venezuelan waters in defiance of President Trump’s declared “quarantine” of sanctioned vessels in the region. She said the seizure was conducted by a joint team including Marines, sailors from the USS Gerald R. Ford, and a Coast Guard tactical unit.
A short video released by Noem showed helicopters hovering over the tanker and armed forces descending onto the deck by rope. It is the sixth sanctioned oil vessel seized by U.S. forces as part of a wider initiative following the military-led removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The Veronica had last transmitted its location on January 3, anchored off Aruba, near Venezuela’s main oil shipping terminal. Data indicated the ship was partially filled with crude oil. U.S. officials say the vessel was flagged under Guyana and operated as part of the so-called “shadow fleet,” which transports oil in violation of sanctions.
Ship records show the Veronica previously operated under the name Galileo, with ownership links to a Russian company. A vessel using the same registration number also once sailed as Pegas, which was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for transporting Russian oil in violation of restrictions.
The Trump administration has cast these tanker seizures as part of an international law enforcement mission. However, officials also acknowledge that the moves are part of a broader effort to revitalize Venezuela’s oil sector.
Recently, President Trump met with major U.S. oil company executives to discuss a proposed $100 billion investment in Venezuela’s petroleum infrastructure. Administration sources say they plan to sell 30 to 50 million barrels of confiscated Venezuelan oil as part of the country’s economic recovery plan.
U.S. Southern Command continues to lead military efforts in the region, working in coordination with law enforcement and diplomatic channels to track, intercept, and confiscate vessels involved in sanctioned oil trading. Officials describe these actions as essential to cutting off illegal oil revenues and restoring order to global energy markets.
While some international observers have criticized the aggressive approach, the administration maintains that the seizures are lawful under existing sanctions and critical to their long-term foreign policy goals in the region.
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