U.S. Boards Third Sanctioned Tanker Tracked From Caribbean
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WASHINGTON — U.S. military forces boarded a third sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean Tuesday after tracking the vessel from the Caribbean Sea, Pentagon said. U.S. Southern Command said forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the tanker Bertha, flagged to the Cook Islands and listed under U.S. sanctions tied to Iran by Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. Pentagon video shows helicopters approaching the ship. Officials said the move targets illicit oil shipments connected to Venezuela and follows a quarantine of sanctioned tankers ordered by President Trump in December. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.
More context
Timeline
- 1. December — President Trump orders quarantine of sanctioned tankers in the Caribbean.
- 2. January — Reports indicate more than a dozen tankers fled Venezuela after Maduro's capture.
- 3. Weeks later — Ship-tracking organizations identify remaining sanctioned tankers, including Bertha.
- 4. U.S. forces track Bertha from the Caribbean Sea to the Indian Ocean.
- 5. Tuesday — U.S. Southern Command says forces boarded the Bertha in the Indian Ocean.
Why it matters
This action targets illegal oil shipments linked to Venezuela. It could affect gas prices and global oil markets. Keep an eye on your local gas prices.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
