U.S. Seizes Sixth Sanctioned Tanker, Veronica, in Caribbean Operation Targeting Venezuela’s Oil
U.S. forces seized the Guyana-flagged tanker Veronica in the Caribbean, alleging ties to Venezuela’s shadow fleet; Marines, Coast Guard and USS Gerald R. Ford participated.
Overview
U.S. Coast Guard tactical team boarded and seized the Motor Tanker Veronica early Thursday; U.S. Southern Command said Marines and sailors launched from USS Gerald R. Ford to assist.
The Veronica — Guyana-flagged and last transmitting location Jan. 3 off Aruba — was partially filled with crude and is considered part of the shadow fleet moving sanctioned oil.
U.S. government videos show helicopters approaching and armed personnel descending by rope; footage shows at least four helicopters and nine people visible on deck during the operation.
Noem said the ship defied President Trump's quarantine of sanctioned vessels; administration officials also view seizures as a way to generate revenue and rebuild Venezuela's oil industry.
Registries link the tanker to prior names Gallileo and Pegas and Russian management; the seizure follows a string of captures and a reported plan to sell 30-50 million barrels.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the seizures as law-enforcement and stability efforts by emphasizing U.S. official language (e.g., “enforce the law,” “shadow fleet,” “without incident”), prioritizing government voices and military footage while offering little Venezuelan or independent perspective. These editorial choices tilt coverage toward U.S. strategic and economic aims.
Sources (10)
FAQ
The Motor Tanker Veronica is a Guyana-flagged oil tanker, partially filled with crude oil, considered part of Venezuela's shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil. It was seized by U.S. forces for defying President Trump's quarantine on sanctioned vessels.
U.S. Coast Guard tactical team boarded the tanker, with Marines and sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear launching from the USS Gerald R. Ford to assist in the operation.
Operation Southern Spear is a U.S. operation enforcing a quarantine and blockade on sanctioned oil tankers traveling in and out of Venezuela, aimed at preventing illegal oil transport and weakening the Maduro government.
This is the sixth such seizure; last week, three tankers including Marinera, Olina, and Sophia were seized. The U.S. captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, completed a $500 million oil sale, and plans to sell millions more barrels.
The U.S. aims to control Venezuela's oil by seizing shadow fleet tankers, selling sanctioned oil to generate revenue, and rebuilding the industry while only allowing properly coordinated lawful oil exports.
History
7 sources