Washington, February 16: The Pentagon announced that the U.S. military intercepted another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Indian Ocean on Sunday.
According to a statement on the social media platform X, U.S. officials tracked the vessel named Veronica III from the Caribbean Sea to the Indian Ocean before boarding it for inspection. The statement noted, “Throughout the night, the U.S. military acted on the Veronica III without incident in the Indo-Pacific Command’s area of responsibility.”
The U.S. claims that the ship was attempting to evade sanctions imposed under presidential orders. The Department of Defense emphasized that international waters are not a safe haven for illegal activities.
The vessel is flagged under Panama and is accused of violating oil sanctions related to Iran and Venezuela. Reports indicate that it was carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of crude oil and fuel oil, and has been associated with oil transport from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela since 2023.
In December, the U.S. President ordered a “full blockade” on sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela. Last week, the U.S. military also stopped another tanker for inspection in the Indian Ocean.
The U.S. asserts that it will enforce sanctions on land, air, and sea. In December, President Donald Trump ordered a complete halt on all U.S. sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. This ban has been in effect since January 3, following U.S. actions and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The Department of Defense reiterated in a Sunday post, “International waters are not a safe space. By land, air, or sea, we will find you and bring you to justice. The Department will not allow illegal elements and their associates to operate freely in maritime areas.”
According to maritime intelligence firms, Veronica III departed from Venezuela on January 3, 2026, the same day Nicolás Maduro was captured, carrying nearly 1.9 million barrels of crude oil and fuel oil.
