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U.S. Coast Guard Seizes Tanker Amid Venezuelan Oil Blockade

1/21/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On January 20, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard seized the tanker Veronica, now Galileo, in the Caribbean.
It was the sixth vessel intercepted since December under U.S. President Donald Trump’s blockade against Venezuelan oil.
U.S. authorities plan to sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to stabilize the economy after Nicolás Maduro’s capture.
The operation could heighten tensions with Russia, as the vessel had claimed to be registered there.

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Story summary

On January 20, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard seized the tanker Veronica, now Galileo, in the Caribbean.
It was the sixth vessel intercepted since December under U.S. President Donald Trump’s blockade against Venezuelan oil.
U.S. authorities plan to sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to stabilize the economy after Nicolás Maduro’s capture.
The operation could heighten tensions with Russia, as the vessel had claimed to be registered there.