At a Glance
- U.S. forces captured the Motor Tanker Veronica in the Caribbean Sea
- The seizure is the sixth tanker taken as part of the Trump administration’s effort to control Venezuela’s oil
- Four tankers have been seized since Nicolás Maduro’s removal in a nighttime raid two weeks ago
- Why it matters: The administration aims to raise cash by selling 30-50 million barrels of seized Venezuelan oil and attract $100 billion in energy investment
U.S. forces have seized another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, marking the latest move in the Trump administration’s campaign to take control of Venezuela’s oil operations.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the capture of the Motor Tanker Veronica on Thursday, saying the vessel had sailed through Venezuelan waters in defiance of a U.S. quarantine on sanctioned ships.
Raid Details
According to U.S. Southern Command, Marines and sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford participated in the operation. A Coast Guard tactical team conducted the boarding and seizure, a method used in previous raids.
Noem shared black-and-white video showing helicopters hovering over the merchant vessel while armed troops fast-roped onto the deck.
Escalating Campaign
The Veronica becomes the sixth tanker seized by U.S. forces since the administration began targeting Venezuela’s oil trade. Four of those seizures have occurred since President Nicolás Maduro was removed from power in a surprise nighttime raid almost two weeks ago.
Noem emphasized inter-agency cooperation, stating the operation was carried out “with close coordination with our colleagues” in the military, State Department and Justice Department.
Legal and Financial Goals
While Noem framed the seizure as law enforcement-arguing the captures prove “there is no outrunning or escaping American justice”-other administration officials have highlighted the financial benefits.
The White House expects to sell 30 million to 50 million barrels of the sanctioned Venezuelan crude. Last week President Trump met with oil-company executives to discuss attracting $100 billion in investment to rebuild Venezuela’s damaged energy infrastructure and revive its economy.
Operation Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total tankers seized | 6 |
| Seized since Maduro’s ouster | 4 |
| Target oil sales | 30-50 million barrels |
| Investment goal | $100 billion |
