US seizes sixth Venezuela-linked oil tanker as Trump consolidates control of oil sector

US Coast Guard forces seized the oil tanker Veronica in a predawn operation on Jan. 15, 2026 in the Caribbean Sea. The vessel was the sixth tanker detained as part of Trump's effort to control Venezuela's oil exports. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the seizure on social media, saying the vessel was operating in defiance of President Trump's established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. The operation was conducted by a Coast Guard tactical team supported by the Navy and happened without incident.

Southern Command said the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully. This represents a fundamental shift in US policy—from sanctioning Venezuela's oil exports to directly controlling them through military force. Trump has told oil company executives they're dealing with us directly and not dealing with Venezuela at all, indicating the US is inserting itself as the intermediary for all Venezuelan oil sales.

The tanker seizures began after Trump ordered military strikes on Venezuela and US forces seized President Nicolás Maduro earlier in Jan. 2026. These aggressive actions followed Trump's inauguration and represent an escalation beyond traditional sanctions. Venezuela's interim leader MCMaría Corina Machado, who opposes Maduro, has vowed to reform the oil sector and is coordinating with the Trump administration on restructuring Venezuela's energy industry.

The Veronica seizure follows five previous tanker interdictions: The Skipper (seized Dec. 10, 2025), a second tanker (Dec. 20, 2025), the Olina (Jan. 9, 2026), and two others. Each seizure involves Coast Guard tactical teams boarding vessels at sea and taking control. The tankers are being held by US authorities, and their cargo is being redirected according to Trump administration instructions.

Trump has declared an established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean, though the legal basis for this quarantine is disputed. Traditional sanctions prohibit US entities from purchasing Venezuelan oil, but a quarantine goes further by using military force to physically prevent oil from leaving Venezuela unless authorized by the US. This effectively gives the Trump administration veto power over all Venezuelan oil exports.

Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves—approximately 304 billion barrels, larger than Saudi Arabia's reserves. The country's oil production has collapsed under Maduro from 2.4 million barrels per day in 2015 to approximately 800,000 barrels per day in 2025 due to mismanagement, corruption, and sanctions. Trump sees opportunity to control these reserves by forcing Venezuela to sell only through US-approved channels.

The tanker seizures rely on US sanctions authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and executive orders declaring Venezuela a national security threat. However, using military force to interdict vessels on the high seas represents a more aggressive interpretation of sanctions enforcement. International law experts question whether the US has authority to seize foreign-flagged vessels engaged in trade between third countries.

Congress hasn't authorized military action against Venezuela. The tanker seizures and military strikes occurred under presidential emergency powers without congressional approval. Senate Democrats attempted to pass a War Powers resolution forcing Trump to seek congressional authorization for Venezuela military action, but the resolution failed 50-50 on Jan. 16, 2026 after five Republican senators who initially voted to advance it flipped under White House pressure.