US military forces have boarded another oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Indian Ocean, following a tracking operation that began in the Caribbean Sea. This move is part of a broader strategy to combat illegal oil trade connected to Venezuela, which has been heavily sanctioned by the US government for several years. The Pentagon indicated that the operation involved a maritime interdiction, which reflects a concerted effort to enforce US sanctions and curb Venezuela's ability to smuggle oil globally.

The boardings come after former President Donald Trump initiated a quarantine of sanctioned Venezuelan tankers in late 2020, aiming to increase pressure on the Venezuelan leadership. Following a military operation that led to the arrest of former president Nicolás Maduro in January, many vessels associated with Venezuela's oil trade have tried to evade US authorities. The UK-flagged tanker, identified as Veronica III, attempted to escape but was tracked and boarded by US military personnel, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding Venezuela's oil industry and the lengths the US is going to in order to enforce its sanctions.

This incident underscores the significant challenges posed by Venezuela's