The standoff between Washington and Caracas has entered a new phase. The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday the interception of the Veronica III , a sanctioned oil tanker that attempted to evade the maritime blockade imposed by the Trump administration.

A long and arduous manhunt

The Panamanian-flagged vessel was the subject of an impressive transatlantic pursuit. Initially spotted in the Caribbean, it was tracked all the way to the Indian Ocean.

1. The operation: A video released by the Ministry of Defense on X shows helicopter-borne special forces taking control of the building.
2. The haul: Approximately 1.9 million barrels of crude oil, equivalent to two days of Venezuelan production.
3. The timing: The ship had left Venezuela on January 3, the day Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces.

Washington hardens its tone

This interception is the second in less than a week, following that of the Aquila II . The Pentagon's message is unequivocal: international waters are no longer a safe haven for ships defying sanctions.

"By land, air or sea, we will find you and bring you to justice," the Ministry of Defense insisted.

A huge logistical challenge

Despite these high-profile successes, the fight against the "ghost fleet" remains a monumental task. While around ten oil tankers have been seized recently, Rear Admiral David Barata estimates that approximately 800 ships are still operating in violation of global sanctions.

The Veronica III had also been under scrutiny by the US Treasury since 2022, suspected of also transporting Iranian oil.