Washington: US forces seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, which Washington claims is linked to Venezuela, as part of a broader US effort to control Venezuelan oil resources. Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noam announced on Thursday via social media that the oil tanker “Veronica” was operating “in defiance of the embargo imposed by President Trump on sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Noam posted a short video showing the seizure of the ship, with black-and-white footage of armed forces rappelling from helicopters onto the deck using ropes. Noam indicated that the operation was carried out “in close coordination” with the US military and the Departments of State and Justice. She added: “Coast Guard teams conducted the boarding and seizure operation.”

The Veronica is the sixth tanker seized by the United States as part of its policy to control Venezuelan oil production, refining, and distribution globally, and the fourth since the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro approximately two weeks ago.