US forces have apprehended an oil tanker in the Caribbean, The Veronica, described as a sanctioned tanker that recently passed through Venezuelan waters.

This is the sixth oil tanker to be seized by US military.

According to US Southern Command in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), in another pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and apprehended Motor/Tanker Veronica without incident.

“The Veronica is the latest tanker operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean, proving the effectiveness of Operation Southern Spear yet again,” said the US Southern Command.

It added, “The only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully.”

Early this morning, a Coast Guard tactical team conducted a pre-dawn boarding and seizure of Motor Tanker Veronica in the Caribbean. As another sanctioned ghost fleet tanker, Motor Tanker Veronica had previously passed through Venezuelan waters, and was operating in defiance of… pic.twitter.com/MyWyQGH1h0

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 15, 2026

The action was also confirmed by Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem.

She stated: “As another sanctioned ghost fleet tanker, Motor Tanker Veronica had previously passed through Venezuelan waters, and was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”

Noem said, “As we’ve now demonstrated through multiple boardings, there is no outrunning or escaping American justice — period.”

The Veronica is a crude oil tanker currently sailing under the flag of Guyana.