Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem highlighted the operation on social media, noting the vessel’s prior movements and its role in evading restrictions. Video footage released by military sources showed helicopters deploying teams to the deck, illustrating the precision of the boarding.
This incident follows a series of similar captures, including multiple tankers in the Caribbean and even in distant waters like the North Atlantic. The operations come after the high-profile U.S. raid in early January that led to the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on drug trafficking charges, further intensifying maritime enforcement in the region.
No injuries were reported during the Veronica seizure, and the vessel is now under U.S. control pending further legal proceedings. International observers continue to monitor the situation for potential diplomatic repercussions.
The U.S. maintains that these measures are necessary to uphold sanctions and combat related threats, while critics have raised concerns about escalation in international waters.