On Sunday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the interception of another oil tanker, known as Veronica III, in the Indian Ocean. This action was part of ongoing efforts to enforce a blockade on crude oil operations in the Caribbean linked to Venezuela and Cuba. The Pentagon reported that U.S. forces conducted a lawful inspection, maritime interdiction, and boarding of the vessel without incident in the Indo-Pacific Command area while sharing a video of the operation on social media platform X.

According to the U.S. Armed Forces, the tanker had attempted to defy a quarantine imposed by former President Donald Trump, aiming to evade the U.S. enforcement measures. They stated that the vessel was tracked from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, emphasizing the U.S. military's capability to monitor and neutralize potential violations of the blockade. This incident highlights the continuing tensions surrounding U.S. sanctions and naval operations aimed at restricting oil shipments that support the Venezuelan and Cuban governments.

The interception of the Veronica III underscores the United States' commitment to enforcing its policies in international waters, showcasing not only its military reach but also its strategy to leverage maritime interdiction as a tool against nations it considers threats. With no other nation possessing the same capabilities to enforce such measures, this operation may serve as a warning to other vessels that may consider bypassing U.S. restrictions, further tightening the blockade on oil exports to regimes viewed unfavorably by Washington.