Washington: American forces have apprehended a sixth oil tanker in the waters surrounding Central and South America and the Caribbean, as reported by the US Southern Command.

According to Anadolu Agency, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, successfully launched an operation from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) to seize Motor/Tanker Veronica without incident. This action is part of the US enforcement of President Donald Trump's quarantine on sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.

The US Southern Command emphasized that oil leaving Venezuela must be coordinated lawfully. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem praised the flawless execution of the operation, highlighting that the vessel was a sanctioned ghost fleet tanker, which had previously navigated through Venezuelan waters. She declared that there is no escaping American justice.

This seizure marks the sixth vessel apprehended since December 10, as the US enforces a "total and complete blockade" on Venezuelan oil, amidst rising tensions with Caracas. Previous actions included the boarding of a tanker last Friday and the seizure of the Russian-flagged Bella 1, the M Sophia, the Panama-flagged Centuries, and the Skipper.

Amid this maritime crackdown, tensions between Washington and Caracas have escalated. On January 3, the US conducted a military operation in Venezuela, targeting air defense systems and capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were later taken to New York to face drug and weapons charges.

Venezuela has criticized the vessel seizures as "international piracy," whereas Washington maintains the operations are crucial to uphold the blockade against what it terms the "dark fleet."