U.S. forces seized a sixth tanker in the Caribbean Sea as part of ongoing efforts to control exports of Venezuelan oil, officials said. The vessel, named Veronica, was boarded in a predawn operation "without incident," according to the U.S. military, as it was allegedly defying President Donald Trump's "quarantine of sanctioned vessels."

The U.S. Southern Command stated that "the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully." The command also posted a video on social media showing Marines and sailors boarding the tanker.

According to monitoring service TankerTrackers.com, the Veronica, a crude oil tanker sailing under a Guyanese flag, departed empty from Venezuelan waters in early January.

This seizure is the latest in a series of actions taken by the U.S. to enforce sanctions against Venezuela, aimed at pressuring the government of President Nicolás Maduro. These sanctions are intended to limit the Maduro regime's access to revenue from oil exports, which are a crucial source of income for the country.

Since the U.S. military strikes on Venezuela and seizure of its president Nicolás Maduro this month, Trump has said he plans to tap into the country's huge oil reserves.

The U.S. government has argued that the Maduro regime is illegitimate and has engaged in corrupt practices, leading to economic hardship and political instability in Venezuela. The U.S. has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the interim president of Venezuela.

The Venezuelan government has condemned the U.S. sanctions as illegal and a violation of international law. Maduro's administration maintains that it is the legitimate government of Venezuela and that the U.S. is interfering in the country's internal affairs.

The U.S. actions in the Caribbean Sea reflect a broader strategy of using economic pressure to achieve foreign policy objectives. The use of sanctions and maritime interdiction raises questions about the balance between national security interests and international law, as well as the potential humanitarian consequences for the Venezuelan people.

The situation remains tense, and further developments are expected as the U.S. continues to enforce its sanctions policy and the Venezuelan government seeks to circumvent these restrictions. The long-term impact of these actions on Venezuela's economy and political stability remains to be seen.