US forces seize sanctioned tanker operating near Venezuela
SOUTHCOM says Motor Vessel Sagitta was apprehended without incident.
US forces have apprehended a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea as part of efforts to counter illicit activity across the Western Hemisphere, the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has said.
"This morning, U.S. military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended Motor Vessel Sagitta without incident," SOUTHCOM said on Tuesday in a statement posted on X, sharing unclassified footage of the operation.
The command said the tanker was operating in defiance of US President Donald Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the region.
The measure is aimed at enforcing US sanctions and ensuring that only legally coordinated oil shipments leave Venezuela, according to the statement.
"As the joint force operates in the Western Hemisphere, we reaffirm that the security of the American people is paramount, demonstrating our commitment to safety and stability," SOUTHCOM said.
The US military has intensified operations in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean since September, citing efforts to combat illicit activity, including narcotics trafficking.
No injuries or resistance were reported during the operation.