The US has seized a sixth tanker in the Caribbean Sea in its ongoing efforts to control exports of Venezuelan oil, officials say. The vessel, Veronica, was boarded in a predawn operation 'without incident' as it was defying President Trump's 'quarantine of sanctioned vessels', said the US military. 'The only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully,' the Southern Command emphasized.
Since the US military strikes on Venezuela and seizure of its president Nicolás Maduro this month, Trump has stated he plans to tap into the country's vast oil reserves. The Southern Command confirmed Veronica was the latest tanker operating in defiance of this quarantine.
The vessel, sailing under a Guyanese flag, was reportedly empty when it left Venezuelan waters in early January. Analyzing the situation, officials noted that the International Maritime Organization's database showed the vessel's previous registrations in Russia under different names.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hailed the operation as a coordinated effort with military, state, and justice departments, highlighting the 'heroic' actions of the Coast Guard. This seizure indicates that Washington's crackdown on the so-called dark fleet—over 1,000 vessels transporting sanctioned oil—will remain firm as the US seeks to control Venezuela's oil sales.
In a recent development, the US completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at $500m. Trump has urged oil executives to invest heavily in Venezuela's energy sector, illustrating a broader strategy to restore its oil economy.
The blockade has significantly reduced Venezuelan oil exports, with only vessels linked to Chevron still making deliveries to the US. Experts suggest that the quarantine created a bottleneck, impacting supply chains meant for countries like China. The situation appears fluid, as some seized tankers are reportedly redirected to the Bahamas for temporary storage.
This most recent seizure aligns with upcoming diplomatic meetings, including one between Trump and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. While Trump has previously mentioned Rodriguez as an ally, Machado aims to persuade him to reconsider the backing of Rodriguez's interim government, stressing the need for a stronger opposition coalition.
Reports also mention a Venezuelan envoy traveling to Washington to begin discussions on reopening the country's embassy, further indicating a potential shift in US-Venezuela relations. With the White House indicating ongoing cooperation, including the release of political prisoners, the future of Venezuelan oil and its international dealings remains pivotal as negotiations unfold.
Since the US military strikes on Venezuela and seizure of its president Nicolás Maduro this month, Trump has stated he plans to tap into the country's vast oil reserves. The Southern Command confirmed Veronica was the latest tanker operating in defiance of this quarantine.
The vessel, sailing under a Guyanese flag, was reportedly empty when it left Venezuelan waters in early January. Analyzing the situation, officials noted that the International Maritime Organization's database showed the vessel's previous registrations in Russia under different names.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hailed the operation as a coordinated effort with military, state, and justice departments, highlighting the 'heroic' actions of the Coast Guard. This seizure indicates that Washington's crackdown on the so-called dark fleet—over 1,000 vessels transporting sanctioned oil—will remain firm as the US seeks to control Venezuela's oil sales.
In a recent development, the US completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at $500m. Trump has urged oil executives to invest heavily in Venezuela's energy sector, illustrating a broader strategy to restore its oil economy.
The blockade has significantly reduced Venezuelan oil exports, with only vessels linked to Chevron still making deliveries to the US. Experts suggest that the quarantine created a bottleneck, impacting supply chains meant for countries like China. The situation appears fluid, as some seized tankers are reportedly redirected to the Bahamas for temporary storage.
This most recent seizure aligns with upcoming diplomatic meetings, including one between Trump and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. While Trump has previously mentioned Rodriguez as an ally, Machado aims to persuade him to reconsider the backing of Rodriguez's interim government, stressing the need for a stronger opposition coalition.
Reports also mention a Venezuelan envoy traveling to Washington to begin discussions on reopening the country's embassy, further indicating a potential shift in US-Venezuela relations. With the White House indicating ongoing cooperation, including the release of political prisoners, the future of Venezuelan oil and its international dealings remains pivotal as negotiations unfold.
