The United States announced on Tuesday that its forces have detained an oil tanker in the Caribbean, the seventh ship to be detained since President Donald Trump announced a blockade to prevent sanctioned vessels from heading to or departing from Venezuela.
A post by the U.S. Southern Command on platform ‘X’ stated that the vessel ‘Sagitta’ was “defying the blockade imposed by President Trump on sanctioned ships” and was detained “without incident.”
In early January 2026, the United States carried out a military operation inside the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, resulting in the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores.
Washington claims the operation was carried out to execute American arrest warrants accusing Maduro of crimes including “drug trafficking.” Maduro and his wife were airlifted to the United States, where they appeared before a court in New York to face the charges. The Venezuelan president denies these accusations, stating that the United States covets his country’s oil.
United States
The United States is a federal republic founded in 1776 following a war for independence from Great Britain. It expanded across North America throughout the 19th century and became a global superpower in the 20th century, with a diverse culture shaped by immigration and its democratic political system.
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a region of the Americas consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands, and surrounding coasts, historically inhabited by indigenous peoples like the Taíno and Carib. Its modern cultural identity was profoundly shaped by European colonization, the transatlantic slave trade, and the plantation economy, leading to a diverse blend of African, European, Indigenous, and Asian influences.
Venezuela
Venezuela is a South American country known for its diverse landscapes, including the Andes Mountains, Amazon rainforest, and Angel Falls, the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall. Historically, it was a Spanish colony until achieving independence in the early 19th century under leaders like Simón Bolívar, becoming a major oil producer in the 20th century. Its cultural heritage blends Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences, evident in its music, art, and festivals.
U.S. Southern Command
The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is a unified combatant command of the U.S. Department of Defense, established in 1963 and headquartered in Miami, Florida. Its area of responsibility encompasses Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, where it conducts military operations and promotes security cooperation.
Sagitta
Sagitta is a small, faint constellation in the northern sky whose name means “arrow” in Latin. It is one of the 48 constellations listed by the ancient Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century, often associated in mythology with the arrow used by Hercules or shot by Apollo.
Caracas
Caracas is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, founded in 1567 by Spanish conquistador Diego de Losada. It grew as a colonial administrative center and later became the birthplace of Simón Bolívar, a key figure in South America’s independence movements. Today, it is a major metropolitan and cultural hub situated in a valley of the Venezuelan coastal mountain range.
Washington
Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, was founded in 1790 following the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and named after the first president, George Washington. It is a planned city, distinct from any state, and is home to iconic national monuments, museums, and the branches of the federal government.
New York
New York City, originally settled by the Dutch as New Amsterdam in 1624, became a major British colonial port before emerging as a global economic and cultural capital following American independence. It is renowned for iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Central Park, which symbolize its historical role as a gateway for immigrants and its vibrant, diverse urban culture.
