US seizes oil tanker Veronica in the Caribbean: Full details

In a new escalation of its economic and political sanctions campaign, the United States announced on Thursday the successful seizure of another oil tanker, the Veronica, in the Caribbean Sea. This operation marks the sixth in a series of actions aimed at tightening the embargo on Venezuelan oil exports, reflecting Washington's determination to continue its maximum pressure campaign against Caracas.

Details of the military operation in the Caribbean

The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) revealed details of a pre-dawn operation via its X platform (formerly Twitter). The command explained that U.S. Marines and sailors successfully boarded and secured the USS Veronica without incident or resistance. SOUTHCOM also released a video showing troops rappelling to the ship's deck, demonstrating the strength and readiness of the military in this vital region.

US authorities confirmed that this tanker was attempting to defy the blockade and strict sanctions imposed by the US administration, which have their roots in the Donald Trump administration, with the aim of crippling the Venezuelan regime’s ability to export crude oil and obtain hard currency.

Background of the conflict and the tanker war

This event cannot be understood in isolation from the tense historical and political context between the United States and Venezuela. For years, Washington has imposed a comprehensive embargo on Venezuela's oil sector, specifically targeting the state-owned oil company PDVSA, in an attempt to pressure President Nicolás Maduro to step down. The United States believes that oil revenues are used to finance the regime's survival and the continuation of internal repression, which has led it to pursue ships and tankers attempting to transport Venezuelan oil to global markets illegally or through the black market.

This operation indicates the continuation of the strict US policy of monitoring waterways in the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean to ensure that oil supplies do not reach or leave Venezuela, especially in light of Caracas's continued attempts to circumvent sanctions by enlisting international allies or using unidentified tankers.

Economic and geopolitical repercussions

This detention has far-reaching implications and effects, both locally in Venezuela and internationally:

• Economically, this incident further strangles Venezuela's already ailing economy, which is almost entirely dependent on oil revenues. The seizure of the shipments exacerbates the country's fuel shortages and the lack of funds needed to import food and medicine.
• Regionally: The operation underscores the United States' military dominance over the Caribbean region and sends a strong warning message to any shipping companies or countries that might consider violating the US sanctions regime.
• Internationally: The event stands out as part of a broader power struggle, with Washington seeking to block any oil cooperation between Venezuela and other sanctioned countries such as Iran, which has previously tried to send tankers to support Caracas.

The US leadership concluded its statement with a firm phrase summarizing the US position: “The only oil that will leave Venezuela is that which is properly and legally coordinated,” thus closing the door on any speculation about easing restrictions at the moment without fundamental policy changes.