United States military forces have intercepted another Venezuelan-flagged oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, marking the sixth such seizure in the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign to control Venezuela’s petroleum resources. The Motor Tanker Veronica was captured in a coordinated operation involving multiple branches of the U.S. military and law enforcement agencies.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the seizure through social media channels, stating the vessel had previously navigated through Venezuelan waters while defying President Trump’s established quarantine protocol for sanctioned ships in the Caribbean region. The operation featured Marines and sailors deployed from the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, with a specialized U.S. Coast Guard tactical team executing the actual boarding and seizure procedures.
Documentation of the mission released by officials includes black-and-white aerial footage showing military helicopters hovering above the merchant vessel’s deck as armed personnel descended via ropes to secure the tanker. This represents the fourth interception since the surprising nighttime raid that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro approximately two weeks ago.
Noem emphasized the interagency coordination behind the operation, noting collaboration with the State and Justice Departments alongside military counterparts. She praised Coast Guard personnel for executing what she characterized as a flawless operation conducted in compliance with international legal standards.
While administration officials publicly frame these seizures as law enforcement actions, other Republican officials acknowledge the financial motivations behind the campaign. The Trump administration aims to generate significant revenue through the sale of 30-50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil, with broader plans to invest $100 billion in rebuilding Venezuela’s damaged oil infrastructure and revitalizing its economy.