Defying vast oceanic distances, US naval forces executed a precise interception of the Veronica III tanker in the Indian Ocean, as detailed in a Pentagon update Sunday. The boarding, conducted smoothly under Indo-Pacific Command, targets yet another vessel accused of ferrying Venezuelan oil in violation of sanctions.
Surveillance had the Panama-flagged ship in sights from its Caribbean origins, burdened with 1.9 million barrels of crude and fuel oil. Since 2023, it has surfaced in transport webs connecting Venezuela, Iran, and Russia—precisely the networks US policy seeks to dismantle.
This follows hot on last week’s operation and stems from President Trump’s sweeping December order for comprehensive blockades on implicated tankers. The ship’s exit from Venezuela on the day of Nicolas Maduro’s capture adds intrigue to the enforcement timeline.
The Pentagon’s X declaration rang clear: ‘International waters aren’t safe for illegals. We track and hold accountable across land, air, sea.’ Such statements project unyielding commitment, backed by real-world action that disrupts illicit flows.
Maritime trackers corroborate the details, painting Veronica III as a key player in evasion tactics. As geopolitical stakes rise, these high-seas maneuvers not only enforce sanctions but also deter broader challenges to the rules-based order, ensuring stability in vital energy corridors.