• The US military seized the oil tanker Aquila II, linked to Venezuela, in the Indian Ocean.
• The vessel was tracked over thousands of miles, operating against US sanctions.
• Pentagon claims the operation is part of a broader strategy to enforce US oil sanctions on Venezuela.

The US military has boarded and seized the sanctioned oil tanker Aquila II in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean Sea, according to Indiatimes. The Pentagon stated that the vessel was operating in defiance of established “quarantine” measures against sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. Officials emphasized their capability to enforce these measures across vast distances, declaring, “By land, air, or sea, our Armed Forces will find you and deliver justice.”

The Pentagon's announcement did not clarify whether the Aquila II was directly linked to Venezuela, which has been subject to heavy US sanctions. However, it was indicated that the tanker had evaded detection previously by “running dark,” a tactic common in the smuggling of illicit goods, according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.

The Aquila II was among at least 16 tankers that left Venezuelan waters following the US forces' surprising capture of President Nicolás Maduro in January. The ship was reportedly not carrying a crude oil cargo at the time of the boarding, as confirmed by tracking data, according to Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.

The Trump administration has taken a firm stance against Venezuela's oil operations, intending to cut off its oil exports as part of broader geopolitical maneuvers. Critics labeled these actions as “theft” and an act of "international piracy," highlighting growing tensions over US actions in the region, as reported by Al Jazeera and BBC.