The United States Southern Command (Southcom) announced this Tuesday (20) that it intercepted another sanctioned oil tanker linked to the Venezuelan oil trade off the coast of Venezuela, as part of Operation Southern Spear, which is being coordinated by the US Armed Forces and federal agencies to combat illicit activity in the Caribbean region.
According to an official publication from the Southern Command in X, the vessel, identified as Motor Vessel Arrowwas seized “without incident” and was operating in violation of the “sanctioned ship quarantine” established by President Donald Trump. The message highlighted that the action demonstrates American determination to ensure that the only oil that leaves Venezuela does so in a “properly coordinated and legal” manner. Currently, the US is controlling Venezuela’s oil market, after carrying out an operation earlier this month that culminated in the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro.
According to Southcom, Tuesday’s operation reaffirms the US commitment to security in the Western Hemisphere. The operation was supported by the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Justice.
O Arrowwhich sailed under the Liberian flag and is managed by a company based in Hong Kong, had already been sanctioned by the American government in measures related to sanctions imposed on Venezuelan oil activities and links to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. To date, the United States has intercepted at least seven oil tankers linked to Venezuelan oil trade in the Caribbean.
Chavismo criticizes montage with map of Venezuela under US flag
This Tuesday, the Chavista regime criticized the publication of an altered image that shows the map of Venezuela, Canada and Greenland under the United States flag. The image was shared by President Trump on social media. Caracas authorities say the graphic piece is an attempt at manipulation and disinformation. In response, the Chavista regime began an official mobilization for citizens to share the official map of Venezuela in response to Trump’s post.
