The US Coast Guard, in cooperation with the US Navy, repeatedly detains tankers in international waters while enforcing sanctions against Venezuela. They see themselves as being in a crucial position for international law.
After a 60-day patrol in the Caribbean and the Gulf of America, the USCG ship “Mohawk” has now returned to its home port of Key West. During its deployment, the crew boarded and escorted two sanctioned oil tankers.
“Our dedicated crews are the spearhead of maritime security,” said Commander Taylor Kellogg. “Their vigilance and expertise were instrumental in successfully intercepting and escorting these tankers and preventing illegal oil from destabilizing the Western Hemisphere. This is a clear demonstration of the Coast Guard’s commitment to enforcing international law and our important role in the armed forces. I am proud of their selfless dedication and devotion to duty.”
As part of Operation Southern Spear, the crew of the “Mohawk” worked with U.S. Department of War and Department of Homeland Security units, as well as other Coast Guard units, to board and escort two sanctioned vessels. This prevented the illegal trade in crude oil in violation of international sanctions.
The two operations lasted a total of 17 days and covered a total distance of 2,700 nm.
On December 20, a tactical response team intercepted and seized the Panamanian-flagged tanker “Centuries”. The “Mohawk” then escorted the “Centuries” on its journey from the Caribbean to the Gulf of America, where the tanker anchored in coordination with the flag state “to ensure further handling”.
On January 15, a similar procedure followed on the Venezuelan Aframax tanker “Veronica”. After being boarded by a joint task force, the “Mohawk” escorted the “Veronica” to a safe anchorage in the Caribbean.
The work is based on “unique legal powers” to enforce international and national law in maritime space and to deploy units for operations in US waters and on the high seas, according to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard’s involvement is “in accordance with customary international law”. These powers are used “to protect maritime security and US interests.”
Operation Southern Spear
Operation Southern Spear is a multi-agency initiative led by the Department of Defense to combat illicit maritime trafficking and enforce international sanctions. By leveraging joint capabilities, the operation aims to disrupt transnational criminal organizations and maintain stability in the maritime domain.
The “Mohawk” is an 82-meter, medium-range Famous-class patrol boat based in Key West. As part of the US Coast Guard in the Atlantic area, its primary missions include counter-narcotics, illegal immigration interdiction, homeland security and search and rescue operations in support of US interests in the Western Hemisphere.
