US Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tanker 2026: Trump Intensifies Control in Caribbean

The U.S. is tightening its grip on the Caribbean's "black gold." Washington's campaign to overhaul Venezuela's energy sector has reached a new boiling point with the forced detention of another major vessel.

US Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tanker 2026: The Veronica Incident

According to Al Jazeera and news agencies, U.S. forces seized the oil tanker Veronica in the Caribbean Sea early Thursday, January 15, 2026. This operation marks the sixth tanker vessel detained as the Trump administration moves to take full control of Venezuelan oil resources.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the vessel was operating in defiance of President Trump's "established quarantine of sanctioned vessels." The high-stakes operation involved U.S. Marines from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, working alongside a coast guard tactical team. The ship was reportedly seized "without incident."

Energy Doctrine: From Sanctions to Physical Possession

The seizure comes just two weeks after the U.S. military abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. Since then, the U.S. has detained four ships as part of a promise to manage the production and refining of Venezuelan oil. Addressing industry executives last week, President Trump stated, "You’re dealing with us directly and not dealing with Venezuela at all."

In response, Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, told parliament that she's pursuing reforms to the Hydrocarbons Law. These changes aim to loosen restrictions on foreign entities to attract investment into crumbling infrastructure. Although Venezuela holds 20% of the world's oil reserves, it produced only 1% of global output in 2024 due to sanctions and neglect.