US forces have seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea, marking the sixth such capture as part of the Trump administration’s push to control Venezuelan oil exports. The latest vessel, the Motor Tanker Veronica, was taken early Thursday without incident, officials announced.
Details of the Latest Seizure of the Veronica Tanker
The Guyana-flagged crude oil tanker Veronica had previously passed through Venezuelan waters and was operating in defiance of President Trump’s quarantine on sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. US Southern Command reported that Marines and sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, supported the operation. A US Coast Guard tactical team handled the boarding.
Context of US Efforts to Enforce Sanctions on Venezuelan Oil
This seizure is the sixth tanker intercepted since the administration ramped up actions, including a quarantine announced in December 2025. It is the fourth since US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month in a surprise raid. Officials frame these operations as law enforcement to stop illicit trade, while also aiming to generate revenue from sanctioned oil for rebuilding Venezuela’s energy sector. The administration has discussed selling millions of barrels and investing up to $100 billion in infrastructure.
Background on Previous Tanker Seizures and Operation Southern Spear
Recent captures include vessels like the Olina and Sophia in the Caribbean, plus others such as the Marinera in the North Atlantic. These actions target so-called ghost fleet or shadow fleet tankers evading sanctions, often with ties to Russia or other nations. The moves have sharply reduced Venezuelan oil exports, with many tankers now stuck in port due to seizure risks.
