The United States Department of Defense revealed a new step in its strategy to clamp down on oil operations linked to Venezuela and Cuba. U.S. military forces intercepted a third oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, which, according to Washington, was violating the crude blockade imposed in the Caribbean and attempted to escape the naval encirclement.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, the Pentagon reported, "Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right of visit inspection, maritime interdiction, and boarding of the Bertha without incident in the Indopacom (Indo-Pacific Command) area of responsibility."
The Armed Forces indicated that the vessel was operating in defiance of the quarantine established by former U.S. President Donald Trump on sanctioned ships in the Caribbean and attempted to circumvent it.
The Department of Defense emphasized that the operation is part of a broader strategy and delivered a strong message: "Three vessels attempted to flee, and now all three have been captured."
Prior to the Bertha, the United States had intercepted the oil tankers Aquila II and Veronica III in the Indian Ocean, which were also identified by Washington as vessels attempting to evade the blockade after operating on routes related to Venezuela.
The Bertha, identified as a Cook Islands-flagged vessel by the maritime tracking site Marine Traffic, is among approximately 16 sanctioned tankers that reportedly attempted to bypass the U.S. blockade in Caribbean waters.
Deceptive Tactics
According to international press reports, the Bertha had adopted the alias "Ekta" and falsified its coordinates to appear as though it was off the coast of Nigeria. This maneuver is similar to those used by Aquila II and Veronica III, aiming to complicate satellite tracking and evade maritime monitoring systems.
Since December 2025, the United States has enforced a maritime "quarantine" on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela under the so-called Operation Southern Lance. Under this operation, nearly a dozen ships have been boarded or seized. The restrictions also apply to crude shipments to Cuba.
No Safe Harbor in International Waters
The Pentagon reiterated the scope of its naval interdiction policy with a message underscoring its zero-tolerance stance: "International waters are no haven for sanctioned actors. By land, air, or sea, our forces will find them and deliver justice. The Department of Defense will deny illicit actors and their proxies the freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain."
This expansion of operations beyond the Caribbean into the Indian Ocean represents a significant geographical shift in the application of U.S. sanctions and sparks debate over the extraterritorial reach of these measures.
While Washington insists these are legal actions to enforce existing sanctions, international critics question the legal basis for interceptions in international waters and warn of escalating tensions on strategic maritime routes.
The Bertha case thus adds to a series of boardings that demonstrate a more aggressive phase in the U.S. energy pressure policy against Caracas, and indirectly against Havana, in a scenario where oil remains a pivotal element in the geopolitical dispute.
Understanding U.S. Naval Interdiction Policy
What is the purpose of the U.S. maritime "quarantine" on oil tankers?
The U.S. maritime "quarantine" aims to enforce sanctions on oil tankers associated with Venezuela and Cuba, preventing them from entering or leaving Venezuelan ports to curb illegal oil trade.
Why are international waters not considered a safe haven under U.S. policy?
Under U.S. policy, international waters are not a safe haven due to the enforcement of sanctions that target illicit actors, ensuring they cannot evade justice regardless of their location.