The Pentagon announced that on Tuesday, October 24, US military forces seized the oil tanker named Bertha, which was sanctioned, in the Indian Ocean. This operation marks the third such seizure within the month, reflecting intensified actions by US authorities. The vessel, flagged under the Cook Islands, reportedly departed from Venezuelan waters in January carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Venezuela's heavy Merey oil, destined for China, according to navigation reports from the state-owned PDVSA.

The Bertha is associated with Shanghai Legendary Ship Management Company Limited and has been subject to US sanctions imposed in January 2020. Following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by Washington, the US has ramped up its enforcement against vessels under sanctions that move to and from Venezuela. The US Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control emphasized the ongoing focus on sanction evasion linked to the Venezuelan oil trade.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the US Department of Defense reported that its forces intercepted the Bertha overnight, accusing the tanker of attempting to evade sanctions imposed by the US. This incident showcases the Biden administration's continued commitment to hold accountable those trying to profit from Venezuelan oil exports, which are critically impacted by international sanctions aimed at isolating Maduro's regime and mitigating its influence in the region.