In a significant move that underscores the ongoing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, the U.S. military has seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela under President Donald Trump’s sanctions. The operation, which took place in the Caribbean Sea, involved U.S. marines boarding the crude carrier Veronica in a pre-dawn action, as announced by the U.S. Southern Command.
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According to a report by The Guardian, Veronica is believed to be sailing under a Guyanese flag, and its seizure marks the latest effort by the Trump administration to enforce sanctions against the Venezuelan government. This development comes amidst the backdrop of the U.S. backing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela, while imposing sanctions on the country’s oil industry to pressure President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
The U.S. Southern Command’s post on social media confirmed the seizure of the oil tanker, highlighting the military’s role in supporting Trump’s sanctions push against Venezuela. This action is part of a broader strategy aimed at isolating Maduro’s government and exerting economic pressure to bring about political change in the crisis-ridden country.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that this is the sixth oil tanker linked to Venezuela that the U.S. has seized, with federal officials announcing the operation ahead of a meeting between President Trump and Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado. The move is likely to further strain relations between the two countries and escalate the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
The seizure of the Venezuelan-linked oil tanker underscores the Trump administration’s hardline stance towards the Maduro government and its efforts to enforce sanctions as part of a broader strategy to address the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The action also reflects the complex dynamics of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America and the challenges of balancing diplomatic engagement with coercive measures to achieve desired outcomes.
As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Venezuela, the U.S., and other regional actors will respond to this latest development and its implications for the ongoing crisis in the country. The seizure of the oil tanker serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the power struggle between competing political forces in Venezuela and the broader implications for regional stability and international relations.
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References:
1. The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/15/venezuela-oil-tanker-trump-us-seized
2. Reuters: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixAFBVV95cUxPTVlpUlRKUTl3dTE1b25wZG9yMHdNMnkwX3hCNVV2MWM4V2dzX3Y1Q3dfd0dUMklLaWgwQVo0UVFSNnpybUd6SHk2SGpTc09UNzZaQkFnOTluZEJfMWd1M3g3empCSnZDZEZXUTBzSklhTjEtVU9XNmx5b2sxWEo2b3hRTnY2dXM1MG1sSURITFNLUzdtMkRKV3VNSkk2dXBOT0dlTmxhSWJrMGdCSTNkRkRnVHNjWGQ4WDJyUm1Vc3hFOHI0
3. The Washington Times: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/15/us-seizes-sixth-venezuelan-linked-oil-tanker-trump-machado-meeting/
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