US Seizes Tanker Tied to Venezuelan Oil Exports
In a significant pre-dawn operation, US Southern Command has seized the aframax tanker Veronica, marking the sixth vessel with Venezuelan connections captured by American forces in recent weeks. This action underscores Washington’s intensified efforts to disrupt Venezuela’s oil exports, particularly amidst a broader strategy to target the shadow fleet that facilitates these operations. The Veronica, which has previously gone by the names Pegas and Lana, has a controversial past, having been involved in transporting sanctioned oil from both Russia and Iran.
Escalating Tensions and Seizure Operations
The *Veronica* is not new to legal troubles; it was previously seized by Greek authorities in 2022 due to its involvement in illicit oil transportation. This latest seizure is part of a wider crackdown by the US government, which is reportedly preparing to target numerous additional vessels linked to Venezuela. According to sources cited by Reuters, the US has filed court warrants aiming to seize “dozens” of such tankers, indicating a robust increase in maritime enforcement efforts.
These developments come in the wake of heightened tensions following the January 3 capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces. The Trump administration’s strategy appears focused on gaining control over Venezuela’s oil resources and rebuilding its faltering oil sector. This aggressive stance reflects a broader aim to limit the flow of oil that supports the Maduro regime and to undermine its economic stability. As the US ramps up its operations, the international shipping community watches closely, anticipating further actions that could reshape the dynamics of global oil trade involving Venezuela.
