U.S. Forces Board Oil Tanker for Sanction Violations
WASHINGTON: U.S. military personnel recently intercepted an oil tanker in the Indian Ocean that had violated a blockade imposed by President Donald Trump on sanctioned vessels. The Pentagon announced this operation on Sunday.
The tanker, named Veronica III and flying a Panamanian flag, attempted to evade the blockade. According to officials, it traveled from the Caribbean and was closely tracked until it was intercepted. “We followed its movements and successfully shut it down,” the Pentagon stated on social media, along with a video showing U.S. operatives boarding the vessel.
This operation is part of ongoing enforcement efforts, as just a week prior, the U.S. had intercepted another tanker, the Aquila II, under similar circumstances.
In December, President Trump declared a blockade against unlawful oil trade involving Venezuela, and so far, nine ships have been captured. However, this is just a small portion of the estimated 800 vessels in what’s known as the “shadow fleet,” which operate globally to avoid sanctions, according to a senior U.S. Coast Guard officer.
The Veronica III departed Venezuela on January 3, coinciding with a significant operation where U.S. special forces apprehended Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of oil. This tanker is also listed under U.S. sanctions related to Iran, as outlined by the Treasury Department.
“The Department of Defense is committed to denying illegal activities and ensuring safety in maritime operations,” the Pentagon affirmed on social media.
