Friday, January 16, 2026-The United States has seized another oil tanker linked to Venezuela’s oil trade just hours before a high‑profile meeting between President Donald Trump and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
U.S. Southern Command forces intercepted the Guyana‑flagged Aframax tanker Veronica in the Caribbean, taking control of the vessel without incident as part of broader efforts to enforce sanctions and tighten control over Venezuelan oil exports. It was the sixth such tanker seized in recent weeks.
Washington officials say the operation targets ships that have carried Venezuelan crude or defied a U.S. quarantine on sanctioned vessels, reflecting an intensified campaign to disrupt oil shipments tied to Caracas.
Most of the intercepted tankers are said to be part of a so‑called “shadow fleet” that disguises affiliations to evade sanctions. Alongside the interception, U.S. authorities are reportedly seeking court warrants to seize dozens more vessels involved in the region’s oil trade.
The timing comes as Trump and Machado prepare for their first in‑person meeting since U.S. forces ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in early January, with Washington aiming to assert influence over Venezuela’s energy sector and broader political transition.
The administration’s actions have already sparked international responses, including condemnation from Moscow for previous tanker seizures, underscoring the geopolitical tensions intertwined with U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
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