US Military Boards Tanker in Indian Ocean, Bypassing Quarantine

US troops discreetly boarded a tanker overnight in the Indian Ocean, disregarding a quarantine established by President Trump.

The Department of War indicated on Monday that the operation was aimed at the Aquila II, emphasizing that the military remains alert to safeguard the nation, according to reports.

“At that time, I say quarantine, but I mean it. Nothing will deter the DoW from defending its homeland, even in the oceans across the globe,” a post from the department suggested.

In the early hours, the military successfully boarded the Aquila II within the jurisdiction of Indopacom. The tanker was found operating against the quarantine for sanctioned vessels set by President Trump in the Caribbean. It attempted to flee, but we pursued. The War Department tracked the vessel from the Caribbean Sea to the Indian Ocean.

No other country can enforce its will globally. Whether by land, air, or sea, our forces will find you and bring you to justice. The vessel will run out of fuel long before it can escape us. The Department of the Army will deny illegal entities the means to challenge American authority in international waters.

Footage revealed military personnel hovering around the ship in a helicopter prior to boarding.

Earlier this January, the US military seized a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuelan oil in the North Atlantic and captured another “ghost tanker” in the Caribbean, as efforts against sanctioned oil vessels connected to Venezuela escalated under Trump.

According to reports, “President Trump ordered a ‘total and complete’ blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers in December, a strategy against Venezuela’s ousted socialist leader Nicolás Maduro.”

Concerning the Aquila II operation, Pentagon spokesman Kingsley Wilson stated, “The successful seizure of Aquila II showcases the unmatched commitment of the US military under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth.”

He also added, “Our nation’s quarantine measures are solid, and no vessel that defies them, whether in the Caribbean or the vast Indian Ocean, will avoid consequences. The Department of the Army is devoted to all defense measures to protect our homeland and deter illegal activities worldwide.”