US Forces Capture Another Venezuelan Oil Tanker Amid Ongoing Sanctions

US Military Action in the Caribbean

Washington: The United States military has successfully intercepted another oil tanker in the Caribbean, which the Trump administration claims has connections to Venezuela. This operation is part of a larger strategy to exert control over Venezuela's oil resources.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on social media that the Motor Tanker Veronica had previously navigated through Venezuelan waters and was operating against the established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.

According to a post from the US Southern Command, Marines and sailors from the USS Gerald R. Ford were involved in the operation, while a tactical team from the Coast Guard executed the boarding and seizure.

Noem shared a short video that appeared to depict the capture, showing helicopters hovering above the merchant vessel as armed personnel descended onto the deck.

This marks the sixth tanker seized by US forces as part of the Trump administration's initiative to control the production, refining, and global distribution of Venezuelan oil, and the fourth capture since the unexpected ousting of President Nicolas Maduro nearly two weeks ago.

In her social media update, Noem emphasized that the operation was conducted in close collaboration with military personnel and officials from the State and Justice departments.

She praised the Coast Guard for their flawless execution of the operation, affirming that it was carried out in compliance with international law.