U.S. forces seize sixth Venezuela-linked oil tanker

U.S. forces seized a sixth oil Thursday in an early morning operation, according to U.S. Southern Command.

The tanker was seized as part of a quarantine on sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela.

“In another pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and apprehended Motor/Tanker Veronica without incident,” U.S. Southern Command said in a post on X.

“The Veronica is the latest tanker operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean, proving the effectiveness of Operation Southern Spear yet again,” it said.

“The only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully,” it added.

Reuters first reported the seizure, which comes as President Trump is set to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado Thursday at the White House.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.