US Forces Seize Another Venezuelan Oil Tanker in Caribbean Operation
The United States military has captured another oil tanker in Caribbean waters. This action forms part of Washington's expanding campaign to control petroleum shipments departing from Venezuela. Military officials describe the move as a step toward restoring security across the Western Hemisphere.
Pre-Dawn Raid on the Motor Tanker Veronica
US Southern Command announced that Marines and sailors seized the motor tanker Veronica. The operation occurred before dawn under the banner of Operation Southern Spear. Released footage shows US personnel rappelling from helicopters onto the vessel's deck. They secured the ship without encountering any resistance from the crew.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Southern Command declared the tanker was operating in defiance of former President Donald Trump's quarantine order on sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. "The only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully," the command asserted. Officials added this interception demonstrates the effectiveness of their ongoing maritime operation.
Military Assets and Coordination
The raid involved forces launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. They received support from the Navy's Amphibious Ready Group. This group included the USS Iwo Jima, the USS San Antonio, and the USS Fort Lauderdale. The operation was conducted in close coordination with several US agencies.
Key coordinating bodies included:- The Department of Homeland Security
- The US Coast Guard
- The Department of Justice
The seizure of the Veronica represents the latest in a string of tanker interceptions. Washington is systematically tightening its grip on Venezuela's crucial oil trade.
Escalating Campaign Against "Ghost Fleet"
This marks the fourth tanker apprehended since the dramatic capture and removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. It is the sixth vessel seized in recent weeks. US authorities describe this as part of a broader effort to dismantle a so-called "ghost fleet." This fleet allegedly moves sanctioned Venezuelan oil using illicit methods.
Earlier operations followed a similar pattern. US forces have boarded tankers suspected of trying to evade American patrols. Common evasion tactics include:
- Switching the vessel's flag of registry
- Altering ownership records
- Deliberately disabling tracking systems
In one recent case, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described a seized vessel. She said it had departed Venezuela without proper authorization while attempting to avoid detection.
US Administration's Strategic Objectives
The Trump administration frames these operations as straightforward law enforcement actions. Their stated goal is ending illicit activity across the region. However, senior officials have also clarified a broader strategic aim.
Controlling Venezuela's oil exports is central to wider US plans. Washington intends to rebuild the country's energy sector under American oversight. This campaign signifies a significant escalation in efforts to isolate Venezuela's economy and redirect its most valuable resource.
