U.S. forces have seized a ship in the Indian Ocean, alleging it was breaching the U.S. blockade of Venezuela. The vessel, identified as the Suezmax tanker Aquila II, was boarded after being tracked from the Caribbean Sea. The operation, which occurred overnight, marks a significant escalation in the U.S.'s efforts to enforce sanctions against Venezuela.

According to a statement made on Monday by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Aquila II was interdicted in a "right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding". Hegseth added that the vessel was operating in defiance of the U.S. "quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean". He stated that the "Department of War tracked and hunted this vessel from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean".

The Aquila II reportedly departed Venezuelan waters in early January as part of a flotilla of vessels. It was allegedly carrying approximately 700,000 barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude oil destined for China, according to schedules from state company PDVSA. Most of the tankers in the flotilla have either returned to Venezuela or been seized by the U.S..

The U.S. has intensified its blockade on vessels traveling to and from Venezuela, particularly after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military raid last month in Caracas. The U.S. asserts that Maduro's regime was illicit and that these measures are necessary to restore democracy and prevent the flow of illicit funds.

The Aquila II is a Panamanian-flagged tanker that is under U.S. sanctions related to the shipment of illicit Russian oil. Data indicates the ship has spent much of the last year with its radio transponder turned off, a practice known as "running dark" which is commonly employed by smugglers to hide their location.

This operation is part of a broader effort by the U.S. to control the production, refining, and global transport of Venezuelan oil. The U.S. Treasury aims to cut off revenue streams tied to sanctioned oil exports and increase the risks for those involved in shadow-fleet operations.

The pursuit and seizure of the Aquila II highlights the increasing lengths to which the U.S. is willing to go to enforce its sanctions policy. This action has already drawn criticism, with Russia calling the interdictions illegal and warning of potential retaliation against U.S.-flagged vessels.

This recent action is not the first of its kind. In December 2025, the U.S. announced a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers traveling in and out of Venezuela. Since then, several vessels have been intercepted, including the M Sophia and the Marinera.