The Panamanian-flagged vessel attempted to defy the ‘quarantine’ ordered by Trump.
On Sunday, the United States War Department announced it intercepted the oil tanker Veronica 3 in the Indian Ocean, which was accused of violating the blockade imposed on crude oil operations linked to Venezuela and Cuba.
The Pentagon informed that U.S. forces conducted the inspection, maritime interdiction, and boarding without “incidents” under the responsibility of the Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom), the military body in charge of operations in that strategic region.
It added that the Panamanian-flagged vessel attempted to defy the “quarantine” ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump, who established measures to prevent Venezuelan oil exports and restrict revenues from Russia, Iran, and Cuba.
The Veronica 3 allegedly changed its name to ‘DS Vector’ and falsified coordinates to simulate a location off the coast of Nigeria, but was tracked from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean.
The maneuver is part of Operation Southern Spear launched in December 2025, which has already seized at least eight vessels and seeks to cut off crude oil supplies to Cuba and other destinations.
Trump’s tariffs on countries that send oil to Cuba intensify economic pressure on the island, which faces severe energy shortages and restrictions on transportation and public services.
In this context, the Cuban government had to implement emergency measures, such as suspension of diesel sales, closure of several offices and hotels, and fuel rationing, with gas stations selling a maximum of 20 liters per person at wait times of up to two months.
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
0 Comentarios