US Navy Boards Venezuelan Oil Tanker in Indian Ocean Amidst Trump Administration Pressure

U.S. Forces boarded the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker Veronica III in the Indian Ocean on Sunday, February 16, 2026, after tracking it from the Caribbean Sea. The action is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to disrupt illicit oil shipments linked to Venezuela and enforce sanctions.

Tanker’s History and Seizure

The Veronica III departed Venezuela on January 3, 2026, coinciding with the U.S. Military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro . According to TankerTrackers.com, the vessel was carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil and fuel oil .

The Pentagon stated that the Veronica III attempted to evade President Trump’s quarantine of sanctioned vessels, prompting the intervention. “We tracked it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, closed the distance, and shut it down,” the Department of War announced on X (formerly Twitter) .

This is at least the ninth tanker to be seized as part of the Trump administration’s strategy to curtail Venezuela’s oil exports . Last week, the Aquila II was also intercepted in a similar operation.

Broader Context: Sanctions and Oil Sales

Venezuela has faced U.S. Sanctions on its oil industry for several years, leading to the use of a “shadow fleet” of tankers with falsely flagged registrations to circumvent these restrictions . In December 2025, President Trump ordered a quarantine of these sanctioned tankers to increase economic pressure on Maduro’s government.

Following Maduro’s capture in January, several tankers fled the Venezuelan coast. The U.S. Is now seeking to capture control of Venezuela’s oil resources. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright reported that oil sales from Venezuela, now controlled by Washington, have already generated over $1 billion since Maduro’s capture, with an anticipated $5 billion in revenue in the coming months .

Vessel Details and Registration

The Veronica III is a Panamanian-flagged vessel that has been under U.S. Sanctions related to Iran . However, the Panama Maritime Authority stated on Sunday that the ship’s registration was cancelled in December 2024 .

The Pentagon has not yet confirmed whether the Veronica III has been formally seized and placed under U.S. Control .