Venezuela's interim government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, has enlisted the support of the U.S. military to retrieve an oil tanker that departed the country without authorization, according to sources close to the Venezuelan government who requested anonymity. This collaboration marks the first publicly acknowledged instance of military cooperation between the two nations since the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro.

The tanker, known as either Olina or Minerva M, left a port in eastern Venezuela late last weekend without the approval of port authorities or the state oil company, PDVSA, amidst the upheaval following Maduro's departure, as indicated by satellite imagery and government sources. PDVSA stated that it had not received payment for the crude oil onboard.

"The tanker launched without payment, nor the authorization of Venezuelan authorities," PDVSA said in a statement released Friday, further acknowledging the assistance of the U.S. government in securing its return.

Rodríguez's move to involve the U.S. military comes as she seeks to consolidate her authority in Venezuela, navigating a redistribution of wealth and power in the wake of the leadership change. The circumstances surrounding the tanker's unauthorized departure highlight the instability and potential for exploitation during this transitional period.

The U.S. government has not yet officially commented on the extent of its involvement, but the collaboration suggests a potential shift in relations between the two countries, which have been strained in recent years. The incident raises questions about the future of U.S.-Venezuelan relations and the potential for further cooperation on matters of mutual interest.

The current location of the tanker is unknown, but efforts are reportedly underway to guide it back to Venezuelan waters. The incident is under investigation by Venezuelan authorities.