US Forces Seize Sixth Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker in Caribbean Sea
US military and Coast Guard forces have seized a sixth oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea that was linked to Venezuelan crude shipments, the US Southern Command said on Thursday. The operation took place in international waters in a pre-dawn mission and was carried out “without incident,” officials said. The vessel, named Veronica, was intercepted as part of a broader US effort to enforce sanctions and a maritime quarantine on tankers trading in and out of Venezuela, according to the Southern Command statement. Marines and sailors deployed from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, working alongside a US Coast Guard tactical team, carried out the boarding and seizure.
Part of an Ongoing Enforcement Campaign
This is the sixth vessel seized by US forces in recent weeks under the administration’s campaign to crack down on sanctioned oil shipments linked to Venezuela. The action forms part of Operation Southern Spear, the US naval effort to enforce a quarantine on vessels believed to be operating in defiance of sanctions and transporting Venezuelan oil without proper authorization. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem highlighted the importance of stopping tankers that attempt to circumvent the quarantine, underscoring that the goal is to ensure that only lawful and coordinated oil shipments leave Venezuelan waters.
Strategic Context and US Policy
The seizure of Veronica comes amid heightened US pressure on Venezuela’s oil sector as part of broader geopolitical and economic goals. The administration has sought to enforce sanctions more aggressively and reduce the ability of Venezuelan crude to reach international markets outside of authorized channels. Earlier in January, similar operations have involved other tankers accused of evading sanctions by changing names, flags, or routing—often referred to by analysts as part of a “shadow fleet.”
No Injuries and Smooth Operation
Officials said the Veronica was seized without any injuries or resistance from crew members. The operation was framed as a law-enforcement action aimed at enforcing sanctions and maritime law rather than a combat engagement.
What Happens Next
It remains unclear what will happen to the tanker and any cargo it may have been carrying. In previous seizures, US authorities have pursued legal steps to bring vessels into port and determine their disposition under sanctions and international law. The repeated interdictions reflect an ongoing US strategy to tighten control over Venezuelan oil exports and ensure that sanctioned vessels cannot slip through naval and legal enforcement measures.