US Seizes Another Venezuela-Linked Tanker in the Caribbean

US Coast Guard teams, supported by US Marines and naval assets, conducted a new operation against an oil tanker in the Caribbean. The US Southern Command announced that the tanker named Veronica was brought under control without any conflict. This operation has been recorded as the sixth seizure carried out during a period when Washington has increased maritime surveillance of Venezuela's oil trade.

Operation Dawn

In footage shared by the US Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard, military personnel can be seen descending onto the tanker’s deck using fast rope techniques from the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. The operation was reported to be coordinated among the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, and Justice.

Officials stated that there were no injuries to the crew or material conflict during the seizure of the vessel. The released videos indicated that the tanker was empty and that there was no cargo on deck.

Sanctions and 'Secret Fleet' Allegations

US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that the vessel had previously been in Venezuelan waters and violated the sanctions regime imposed by the US in the Caribbean. The tanker is listed among vessels described by Washington as a 'secret fleet,' which are alleged to have breached sanctions.

According to maritime tracking services, the 2007-built tanker, with a capacity of 115,000 dwt, has operated under different names and flags since 2020. The vessel has been associated with oil shipments from Iran and Venezuela in the past.

Previously in the Spotlight

The same tanker was stopped in Greece in April 2020 for allegedly violating sanctions and was subsequently released following legal proceedings. Developments at that time escalated to Iran seizing two Greek tankers in retaliation.

The vessel re-emerged in 2024 under the name Veronica with a Guyanese flag, later switching to a Russian flag and taking the name Gallileo. Tracking data indicates that the tanker was last spotted off the coast of Venezuela in early January.

Regional Impacts and Increasing Pressure

The US Southern Command argues that oil shipments from Venezuela will only occur through 'channels approved and coordinated by the US.' This approach is said to have led to significant declines in Venezuela's oil exports, particularly disrupting supply flows from major buyers like China.

According to reports from Reuters, the US Department of Justice is preparing to issue new seizure orders for other tankers in the region. Maritime tracking organizations report that numerous vessels associated with sanctions are on standby in the Southern Caribbean.

Experts indicate that the increasing maritime operations will be more intensely discussed in terms of their impacts on international maritime law, freedom of trade, and energy supply security in the upcoming period.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye