In an operation early Monday in the Indian Ocean, US military forces boarded the oil tanker Aquila II, which they had pursued from the Caribbean, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The operation was reported to have gone "without incidents," and it was claimed that the vessel had violated US sanctions on ships traveling to or from Venezuela. The Aquila II was carrying approximately 700,000 barrels of heavy crude oil from Venezuela, with documents indicating its destination as China.

The United States has intensified its blockade on sanctioned ships following military actions against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro last month. This increased enforcement comes amidst ongoing tensions surrounding Venezuelan oil exports, which have been significantly affected by US sanctions aimed at crippling the Venezuelan economy. Reports have indicated that several vessels from a fleet that set sail from Venezuelan waters in January have either returned to Venezuela or been seized by US forces, indicating a pattern in the US's approach to controlling the flow of oil from Venezuela.

This incident reflects the continuing geopolitical struggles in the region, particularly as the US seeks to enforce its sanctions and limit Venezuela's ability to engage in international oil transactions. The implications of such actions not only affect Venezuela's economic situation but also its relations with China, a key partner in its oil exports. As the US maintains its naval presence and monitoring in these waters, the tension surrounding oil shipping routes remains a critical factor in international relations involving Venezuela and its allies.