Under the cloak of pre-dawn darkness, U.S. Marines and Sailors executed another daring seizure in Caribbean waters. The target: a fugitive oil tanker with ties to Venezuela, the latest in a growing list of intercepted vessels. This operation, spearheaded by Joint Task Force Southern Spear, marks the sixth such apprehension as the U.S. intensifies its crackdown on illicit oil trading.
The tanker, identified as the Motor/Tanker Veronica, was intercepted without incident from the USS Gerald R. Ford. This action underscores the effectiveness of Operation Southern Spear, a campaign designed to enforce a strict quarantine on sanctioned vessels operating in the region. The operation wasn’t a solo effort; it was backed by the formidable power of a U.S. Navy Amphibious Ready Group.
Powerful warships – the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale – provided crucial support, demonstrating a clear message: only oil traded legally and with proper coordination will be permitted to leave Venezuelan ports. Authorities are determined to dismantle networks facilitating illegal activity and restore stability throughout the Western Hemisphere.
This latest seizure coincided with a significant meeting at the White House. President Donald Trump welcomed Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, signaling a continued focus on the political and economic situation in Venezuela. The timing suggests a coordinated strategy to exert pressure and influence events unfolding in the region.
The intercepted tankers aren’t simply rogue vessels; they represent a complex web of evasion. Many operate under U.S. sanctions, while others are part of a shadowy fleet deliberately obscuring their origins. This network facilitates the movement of oil from sanctioned nations like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, circumventing international regulations.
President Trump has publicly stated a bold ambition regarding Venezuela, asserting the U.S. will take a leading role in its future. Recent statements indicated a plan for U.S. forces to oversee the country, with Trump suggesting this period of control could extend well beyond a year. The scope of this intervention remains a subject of intense speculation.
Furthermore, an agreement has reportedly been reached for Venezuela to deliver up to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S. This oil is slated for immediate sale, with Trump promising a profitable restructuring of Venezuela’s oil industry and a flow of much-needed funds back into the country. The plan aims to lower oil prices while simultaneously providing economic relief to Venezuela.
Adding a layer of unconventional communication, Trump shared a digitally altered image portraying himself as the “Acting President of Venezuela” as of January 2026. This act, reminiscent of a Wikipedia page, underscores the assertive and unconventional nature of the U.S. approach to the situation.