POLITICS

U.S. Boards Third Sanctioned Tanker Tracked From Caribbean

PUBLISHED Feb 24, 2026, 8:32 AM ET

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U.S. Boards Third Sanctioned Tanker Tracked From Caribbean

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 8

Center 100%

Sources: 8

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.

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

December — President Trump orders quarantine of sanctioned tankers in the Caribbean.
January — Reports indicate more than a dozen tankers fled Venezuela after Maduro's capture.
Weeks later — Ship-tracking organizations identify remaining sanctioned tankers, including Bertha.
U.S. forces track Bertha from the Caribbean Sea to the Indian Ocean.
Tuesday — U.S. Southern Command says forces boarded the Bertha in the Indian Ocean.

News Intelligence

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.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 8
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 8

Who Benefited

U.S. military and enforcement agencies benefitted by disrupting alleged illicit oil transfers, reinforcing sanctions compliance and demonstrating interdiction capabilities.

Who Impacted

Crew members of the Bertha, Venezuelan oil intermediaries, and entities using falsified ship flags suffered operational disruption and potential legal consequences.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 8
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 8
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

U.S. military and enforcement agencies benefitted by disrupting alleged illicit oil transfers, reinforcing sanctions compliance and demonstrating interdiction capabilities.

Who Impacted

Crew members of the Bertha, Venezuelan oil intermediaries, and entities using falsified ship flags suffered operational disruption and potential legal consequences.