US seizes Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Indian Ocean

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera StaffFebruary 9, 2026 at 07:58 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

In February 2026, the United States military seized the Venezuela-linked oil tanker Aquila II in the Indian Ocean. The Pentagon stated this action demonstrates the US commitment to enforcing its oil blockade against Venezuela, even far from the Caribbean. The US claims the tanker defied President Trump's quarantine of sanctioned vessels. The Aquila II, flagged in Panama, had departed Venezuela in early January carrying 700,000 barrels of crude oil. This seizure is part of a broader US campaign to cut off Venezuela's oil exports, which began in December and continued despite Venezuela opening its oil sector to foreign investment after the abduction of President Maduro.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

PDVSA 30% Caribbean Sea 40% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) ×240% Delcy Rodriguez 50% Aquila II ×260% Indian Ocean ×260% Pentagon ×370% Donald Trump ×270% United States ×790% Venezuela ×790%

Keywords

venezuela 90% oil blockade 90% us military 80% oil tanker 80% seizure 70% oil exports 60% indian ocean 60% sanctioned vessels 50% foreign investments 40%