Source: Fortune
Summary
The US military has boarded another sanctioned tanker, the Veronica III, in the Indian Ocean. The tanker was tracked from the Caribbean Sea and was found to be carrying nearly 2 million barrels of crude and fuel oil. The vessel is Panamanian-flagged and is under US sanctions related to Iran. This is the second tanker to be boarded in the Indian Ocean in recent weeks, as part of the US efforts to target illicit oil connected to Venezuela.
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The numbers tell one story.
The US military has been seizing tankers as part of its efforts to take control of Venezuela’s oil. The Veronica III is the latest example, with nearly 2 million barrels of crude and fuel oil on board. The tanker was tracked from the Caribbean Sea to the Indian Ocean, where it was boarded by US forces. The Pentagon said the vessel tried to defy President Trump’s quarantine, but was shut down. The US has been tracking tankers like the Veronica III, which has been involved with Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan oil since 2023.
The situation is a familiar one, with the US using military force to enforce sanctions and take control of oil supplies. The Veronica III is just the latest example of this strategy in action.
Author: Evan Null
The US Military’s tanker seizures
The US has been seizing tankers as part of its efforts to take control of Venezuela’s oil. This is not the first time the US has taken such action, and it is likely not the last.
The Veronica III’s history
The Veronica III has been involved with Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan oil since 2023. The tanker has been tracked by organizations like TankerTrackers.com, which has used satellite imagery and surface-level photos to document its movements.
The US’s broader strategy
The US’s efforts to take control of Venezuela’s oil are part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on the Venezuelan government. The US has imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry, and has been using military force to enforce those sanctions.
The impact on global oil supplies
The US’s actions are likely to have an impact on global oil supplies, particularly if the US continues to seize tankers carrying Venezuelan oil. This could lead to shortages and price increases, particularly if other countries follow the US’s lead.
