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The US military has successfully boarded a second oil tanker in the Indian Ocean as part of an intensified campaign against Venezuelan oil exports. Following its tracking from the Caribbean, the Panamanian-registered vessel Veronica III was intercepted under suspicions of facilitating the evasion of US sanctions aimed at Venezuela. This operation marks the second such boarding in just over a week and underscores the US commitment to curbing sanctioned oil trade.
A Strategic Operation
In a statement released by the Pentagon, the operation was characterised as “a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding.” While the statement did not clarify whether the vessel was seized or allowed to continue its journey, it highlighted the US military’s capability to monitor and act against such vessels, regardless of their location. “Distance does not protect you,” the Pentagon asserted, releasing footage that purportedly shows troops boarding the tanker.
The Veronica III was reportedly carrying 1.9 million barrels of crude oil when it departed Venezuela on January 3. This date coincides with the US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a raid at his presidential residence. The tanker has been implicated in transporting oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela since the beginning of this year, as noted by TankerTrackers.com.
Increasing Pressure on Venezuelan Oil Exports
The US military’s actions come amid a broader initiative to enforce a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela. Last December, President Donald Trump announced plans for a blockade, a measure that the Venezuelan government has condemned as “theft.” The ramifications of this pressure have been significant, with reports indicating that Venezuelan oil exports have been curtailed by nearly half, dropping to approximately 400,000 barrels per day, according to Matt Smith, head of US analysis at analytics firm Kpler.
Prior to the interception of the Veronica III, US forces boarded the Aquila II in a similar operation, demonstrating a clear pattern of vigilance in the Indian Ocean. The Pentagon’s statement emphasised that no other nation possesses the “reach, endurance, or will” to undertake such operations, reinforcing the US’s role in maintaining maritime security against sanctioned activities.
Geopolitical Implications
These operations are not only a testament to US military capabilities but also illustrate the complexities of international relations surrounding oil trade and sanctions. As the US continues to target vessels suspected of carrying sanctioned oil, tensions may escalate, particularly with countries like Venezuela that rely heavily on oil exports for economic stability.
The response from the Venezuelan government to these actions has been to decry the US’s maritime strategy, labelling it as an unjustified intervention. The ongoing strife underscores the geopolitical tug-of-war over resources and the enforcement of international sanctions, which often leads to confrontations at sea.
Why it Matters
The interception of the Veronica III and the US’s broader maritime enforcement efforts highlight the increasing tension in the geopolitical landscape regarding oil trade and sanctions. As the US intensifies its operations against vessels linked to Venezuelan oil, the implications extend beyond just economic sanctions; they resonate deeply in the realm of international diplomacy and security. This situation not only challenges the sovereignty of nations like Venezuela but also raises critical questions about the effectiveness and morality of unilateral sanctions and military interventions in global trade dynamics.
