U.S. Seizes Oil Tanker Allegedly Linked to Venezuela Trade

Daniel Hanson

Summary

U.S. forces seized a sanctioned tanker near Venezuela, part of efforts to enforce oil sanctions and revive the country's energy sector.

Why this matters

The seizure highlights ongoing U.S. enforcement of sanctions targeting Venezuela’s oil trade and broader efforts to reshape its energy sector.

U.S. forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea that officials say is tied to Venezuela, part of an ongoing effort to enforce sanctions on the country’s oil industry.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on social media that the U.S. Coast Guard boarded the Motor Tanker Veronica early Thursday. She said the ship had previously passed through Venezuelan waters and was defying President Donald Trump’s sanctions on certain vessels in the region.

U.S. Southern Command said that Marines and sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford supported the Coast Guard boarding team. The military said the operation was carried out “without incident.”

Noem posted video of the operation showing helicopters hovering over a vessel as armed personnel descended onto the deck by rope.

The Veronica is the fourth tanker seized by U.S. forces since President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela was removed from office in a nighttime operation nearly two weeks ago, and the sixth such vessel seized overall.

The ship last reported its position Jan. 3, anchored near Aruba, off Venezuela’s main oil terminal. Data from that time indicated it carried a partial crude oil cargo.

The vessel is flagged under Guyana and is considered part of a network of ships operating in violation of U.S. sanctions. Registration records show it was formerly known as the Galileo and previously operated under the name Pegas, which was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for transporting Russian oil.

According to Noem and U.S. military officials, the seizure is part of an effort to enforce existing sanctions. “There is no outrunning or escaping American justice,” Noem wrote.

Other administration officials have said the actions are also aimed at enabling efforts to restart Venezuela’s oil industry. Trump met last week with oil executives to discuss a potential $100 billion investment in Venezuela’s energy sector. His administration has indicated plans to sell 30 million to 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil.

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