An F/18 aircraft went offline off the Venezuelan coast, with Blackcat 6, identified as an MQ-4C Triton drone, assuming its role, according to an X post by @Kaldockhi between 5:16 AM and 6:15 AM UTC on December 18, 2025. The post stated the F/18 was investigating tankers including XANTHOS EOS and SEALEO in response to President Donald Trump's calls about sanctioned tankers. @Kaldockhi's post read: "🇻🇪Venezuela: Seems like the F/18 has gone offline. Assuming Blackcat 6 (MQ-4C Triton) takes it role. More than likely the F/18 was investigating tankers like XANTHOS EOS and SEALEO around the Venezuelan Coast in response to latest calls from Trump about sanctioned tankers." This report follows earlier tracking of the EU-, UK-, and U.S.-sanctioned tanker XANTHOS EOS near Caracas after departing Punta Cardón Port, as posted by @Nexus_osintx prior to 5:16 AM UTC on December 18. U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers and C-17A Globemaster III were also active at Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, over the previous hour, per @SA_Defensa citing DVIDS imagery.
