United States forces seized an oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Thursday, marking the sixth such vessel detained by the Trump administration as part of its efforts to control Venezuelan oil resources. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the US Coast Guard boarded the tanker, identified as the Veronica, early Thursday morning.

According to Noem, the Veronica had previously traveled through Venezuelan waters and was operating in violation of President Trump's established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. The operation involved US Marines and sailors. The seizure comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between President Trump and Maria Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader.

The US has been increasing pressure on Venezuela's oil sector, aiming to cut off revenue streams to the Maduro regime. These actions are based on sanctions imposed by the US, which prohibit dealings with Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA. The US argues that these sanctions are necessary to promote democracy and human rights in Venezuela.

This latest seizure underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world. The US strategy involves leveraging its maritime power to enforce these sanctions, effectively intercepting vessels suspected of trading with Venezuela. This approach has drawn criticism from some international observers, who argue that it constitutes a form of economic coercion.

The Venezuelan government has condemned the seizures as acts of piracy and violations of international law. Maduro's administration maintains that its oil trade is legitimate and necessary for the country's economic survival. The situation remains tense, with the potential for further escalation as the US continues to exert pressure on Venezuela's oil industry. The long-term implications of these actions for the Venezuelan economy and its people are significant, potentially exacerbating the country's existing humanitarian crisis.