US forces seize sanctioned oil tanker in Caribbean linked to Venezuela – Firstpost

US forces in the Caribbean Sea have intercepted and seized sixth oil tanker under sanctions which the Trump administration says is connected to Venezuela. The move is part of a wider US effort to exert control over the South American nation’s oil resources.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took to social media on Thursday to note that the vessel, named Motor Tanker Veronica, had previously traversed Venezuelan waters and was operating in violation of President Trump’s quarantine measures for sanctioned ships in the region.

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“In another pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and apprehended Motor/Tanker Veronica without incident,” U.S. Southern Command reported in a post on X.

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“The Veronica is the latest tanker operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean, proving the effectiveness of Operation Southern Spear yet again,” it declared.

“The only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully,” it added.

Through #OpSouthernSpear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with @USCG through @DHSgov and @TheJusticeDept.

In another pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear,… pic.twitter.com/brxO9xXUu3

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 15, 2026

Last week, United States forces seized three oil tankers connected to Venezuela including the Marinera. The vessel, previously known as Bella‑1 was intercepted while sailing under the Russian flag in the North Atlantic. Two other tankers, the Olina and the Sophia were taken in the Caribbean Sea.

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These latest vessel seizures follow a surprise overnight operation in which US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and occur as the United States intensifies efforts to assert control over Venezuela’s oil resources.

With inputs from agencies

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