In a recent move to bolster its military presence and control over the Caribbean's maritime routes, the United States seized another oil tanker linked to the Venezuelan regime this Thursday.
This operation, conducted by the Joint Task Force Southern Spear and coordinated by the Department of Defense, targeted the oil tanker Verónica, which was apprehended "without incident" in international waters before sunrise. It marks the sixth operation of its kind.
U.S. military sources confirmed that the mission received backing from the Amphibious Ready Group of the Navy, which comprises vessels like the USS Gerald R. Ford, the USS Iwo Jima, the USS San Antonio, and the USS Fort Lauderdale.
All are deployed as part of Operation Southern Spear (#OpSouthernSpear), a campaign aimed at "crushing illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere."
"Marines and sailors from the Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, embarked from the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and detained the Verónica tanker without incident," detailed the Southern Command. The action was also supported by the Department of Justice and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, posted a video of the operation, celebrating its "flawless execution in accordance with international law."
She noted that Verónica was part of the so-called "ghost fleet" and had previously navigated Venezuelan waters, evading quarantine imposed by Donald Trump on sanctioned vessels.
"As demonstrated in numerous boardings, there is no way to evade or escape U.S. justice, period," stated Noem.
"Our determination is unwavering, and our mission coordination has never been better. The U.S. Coast Guard remains ever-ready to apply the full force of its authorities and specialized capabilities against this threat anywhere and anytime," concluded the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Ongoing Operations Against Sanctioned Vessels
The seizure of Verónica represents the sixth confiscation of vessels under Washington's campaign against sanctioned oil trafficking, particularly from Venezuela, Iran, or Russia.
In recent days, U.S. authorities have also detained vessels Olina (formerly Minerva M), Bella 1 (renamed Marinera and under the Russian flag), Vela 1, Sophia, and Skipper.
Several of these ships had been under aerial and maritime surveillance for weeks.
These operations are part of a strategy that intensified following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3rd in Caracas, executed by U.S. forces and supported by the deployment of naval and air assets in the region.
The arrest of Maduro marked a pivotal shift in Trump's foreign policy towards Venezuela and was followed by a total naval blockade.
Economic Motives and Oil Sale Agreements
The capture of Verónica has a significant economic backdrop. The Trump administration has reiterated that "the only oil leaving Venezuela will be coordinated appropriately and legally," referring to new agreements between Washington and Caracas.
According to Reuters, the U.S. has already completed initial sales of Venezuelan oil under an arrangement valued at $2 billion.
The first revenues, estimated at $500 million, were transferred to U.S.-controlled accounts located in Qatar, overseen by Treasury Department officials to prevent third-party access.
The news outlet Semafor first reported on these operations, which are reportedly being conducted with the approval of the interim administration of Delcy Rodríguez, representing an unprecedented collaboration between former political adversaries under U.S. diplomatic oversight.
An Expanding Force Strategy
The campaign of seizures isn't limited to oil control. Since August 2025, under Operation Southern Spear, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, destroying vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking and eliminating most of their crews in armed confrontations.
These operations, according to the Department of Defense, are designed to restore security in the Western Hemisphere, disrupt transnational criminal networks, and secure U.S. energy and geostrategic interests in the region.
"We will defend our homeland by putting an end to illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere," declared a Pentagon spokesperson.
Understanding U.S. Military Actions in the Caribbean
What is the significance of the Verónica tanker seizure?
The seizure of the Verónica tanker highlights the U.S.'s ongoing efforts to disrupt illegal oil trafficking operations linked to the Venezuelan regime, reinforcing its campaign against sanctioned oil activities.
How does Operation Southern Spear contribute to U.S. interests?
Operation Southern Spear aims to secure U.S. strategic interests by combating illicit activities and ensuring security in the Western Hemisphere, thus protecting energy resources and disrupting criminal networks.
What economic impact does the seizure of tankers have?
The confiscation of tankers like Verónica impacts the economic dynamics by ensuring that Venezuelan oil sales align with legal agreements, thereby preventing unauthorized financial gains by the Venezuelan regime.