The United States Department of Defense announced the interception of the oil tanker 'Bertha' in the Indian Ocean, marking the third vessel intercepted for breaching U.S. sanctions aimed at oil operations tied to Venezuela and Cuba. The Pentagon confirmed details of the operation, emphasizing that American forces carried out the boarding of the vessel without incident under the authority of the Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom). This action is a part of a larger effort to enforce constraints on maritime operations that violate U.S. sanctions.

The U.S. military reported that the 'Bertha' was operating in defiance of a quarantine established by former President Donald Trump, which prohibits sanctioned vessels from operating within the Caribbean. The Department of Defense also mentioned that they have successfully captured three vessels attempting to evade these sanctions in recent months, which underscores the increased vigilance and enforcement measures being adopted by the U.S. in this region.

This development highlights the ongoing tensions in U.S. relations with both Cuba and Venezuela, as the U.S. continues to implement strict sanctions in an attempt to curb the influence and operations of these nations in the Caribbean. The interception of vessels like 'Bertha' is indicative of the broader geopolitical struggles, particularly concerning the management of oil resources and international maritime laws.