US forces board sanctioned oil tanker

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. military has boarded the sanctioned oil tanker Veronica III in the Indian Ocean as part of efforts to target illicit oil operations linked to Venezuela, which has been under U.S. sanctions for several years [1][5]. Group 1: U.S. Military Operations - The operation involved a "right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding" as stated by the Department of War [1][12]. - The U.S. tracked the vessel from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, emphasizing its capability to enforce maritime law [2][5]. - The Department of War declared that international waters are not a sanctuary for illicit activities, asserting their commitment to denying freedom of movement to such actors [5]. Group 2: Background on Venezuela and Sanctions - Venezuela has relied on a shadow fleet of falsely flagged tankers to transport crude oil due to U.S. sanctions [1]. - In December 2024, Donald Trump ordered a quarantine of sanctioned tankers to increase economic pressure on then-president Nicolás Maduro [4][7]. - The Veronica III, a Panamanian-flagged vessel, was under U.S. sanctions related to Iran and was reported to have left Venezuela with nearly 2 million barrels of crude and fuel oil on January 3, the same day as Maduro's capture [8][9]. Group 3: Implications of the Operation - The operation reflects the U.S. strategy to increase pressure on Venezuela and its connections with other sanctioned nations like Iran and Russia [11]. - The U.S. military's actions are part of a broader initiative to combat illicit oil trade and enforce sanctions effectively [5][12].