U.S. forces have intercepted the sanctioned oil tanker VERONICA III in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant escalation in their efforts to combat the shadow fleet transporting illicit Venezuelan oil. This operation brings the total number of vessels seized or interdicted in this campaign to nine, which spans from the Caribbean to the Indo-Pacific region. The Panama-flagged tanker was caught after allegedly attempting to evade President Trump’s sanctions on oil shipments, with the Department of War asserting that no other nation possesses the capability or determination to pursue such operations globally.
The VERONICA III, which set sail from Venezuela carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of crude oil on January 3, 2026, has a history of involvement in transporting oil linked to Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. Previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury on December 3, 2024, the vessel has been under scrutiny for its ties to the Chinese firm Shanghai Future Ship Management Co. Ltd., which has facilitated illicit Iranian oil shipments in the past.
The seizure comes on the heels of a recent interception of Aquila II and is part of a broader crackdown initiated after President Trump’s declaration of a full blockade against sanctioned oil tankers. The U.S. aims to disrupt revenue streams associated with these oil trades and to heighten risks for any entities supporting these illicit operations. The campaign has expanded significantly in geography and intensity, demonstrating a firm commitment to enforcing maritime sanctions.
