US Seizes Sixth Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker Ahead of Trump-Machado Meeting

The United States has seized a sixth Venezuela-linked oil tanker, Motor Tanker Veronica, in the Caribbean ahead of a meeting between President Donald Trump and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. The seizure, confirmed by U.S. Southern Command, is part of a broader campaign to enforce sanctions and control Venezuela's oil resources amid efforts to remove President Nicolás Maduro. The vessels targeted have been under U.S. sanctions or part of a shadow fleet transporting oil from sanctioned countries. The move follows recent U.S. operations including the capture of Maduro and a Russian-flagged tanker, heightening diplomatic tensions.