People around the world are celebrating the Day of the Dead, blending pre-Columbian rituals with the Roman Catholic observance of All Saint’s Day on Nov. 1 and All Soul’s Day on Nov. 2.
The holiday, known in Spanish as “ Dia de los Muertos,” is especially popular in Mexico, but is also observed in other countries, including the U.S. and Germany.
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A nun of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Saint Teresa, walks by the graves of their loved ones on All Souls' Day, in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
A man climbs apartment-type tombs at the hillside Barangka public cemetery in Marikina city, Philippines as people visit their loved ones during All Saints Day on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A women observe All Saints' Day, a time for reflecting on those who have died, in Kroczewo near Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Relatives lit candles and bring flowers and flags at the graves of the Ukrainian soldiers who died in the war with Russia on All Saints' Day on the Mars Field at Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Mykola Tys)
A man places flowers on a grave on All Saints' Day, a Catholic holiday to honor saints and remember deceased relatives, at a municipal cemetery in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Candles are lit during All Saints Day at the cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
Priests attend a Mass with Pope Leo XIV and the Jubilee of the Educational World on the Solemnity of All Saints, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, during which he will proclaim St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A woman sits by the grave of a relative during Day of the Dead festivites at the Tarapaca cemetery in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
A woman takes part in a Day of the Dead procession in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
The grave of Ezra Pound inside the San Michele cemetery, on All Soul's Day, in Venice, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
People take part in a Day of the Dead procession in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Mourners walk on the 'Votif' Bridge, a 407m temporary floating bridge connecting the city to the cemetery on the island of San Michele, to pay respects to their dead on All Soul's Day, in Venice, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
A grave is decorated with cempasuchil flowers and candles celebrating the Day of the Dead at the cemetery in Arocutin, Michoacan state, Mexico, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Families gather to keep company with their dearly departed celebrating the Day of the Dead at the cemetery in Arocutin, Michoacan state, Mexico, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
A woman sits next to the grave of a loved one celebrating the Day of the Dead at the cemetery of Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan state, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
A devotee takes part in a Voodoo ritual during the annual Fete Gede festival that celebrates Day of the Dead, honoring the Haitian spirits Baron Samedi and Gede, in the Delmas neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)
Devotees take part in the annual Fete Gede festival that celebrates Day of the Dead, honoring the Haitian spirits Baron Samedi and Gede, at a cemetery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)
A member of an Aztec dance group holds incense during a commemoration of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) at El Colegio High School in Minneapolis on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanna Dell'Orto)
Spectators cheer as they watch the annual Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)
Cipriana Soriano, right, and Mercedes Soriano return to their house after visiting the tomb of their loved ones during Day of the Dead celebration in Susques, Jujuy province, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Nina Valentina Nieva helps her uncle Lorena Plaza light a candle in memory of her mother, Lorena Luca, inside a chapel at the cemetery during Day of the Dead celebrations in Susques, Jujuy province, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Families gather to keep company with their dearly departed celebrating the Day of the Dead at the cemetery of Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan state, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Relatives place flowers on an altar honoring Nayely Domingo Ceras during the Day of the Dead celebrations at the cemetery of Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan state, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Women dance as they take part in the traditional Catrina parade marking the Day of the Dead in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
A skeleton sculpture stands on an altar at the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square, ahead of the Day of the Dead, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)
A girl dressed in a mariachi costume with skull makeup stands at the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square, ahead of the Day of the Dead, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)
Artists perform as a player of "pelota Maya" during the Paseo de las Animas parade as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Merida, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Zetina)
A man with skull make up holds a candle during the Paseo de las Animas parade as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Merida, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Zetina)
A members of Teatro del Pueblo dressed as La Catrina performs "La Danza de la Muerte" play, part of the Day of the Dead celebrations at Olvera Street, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Women take part in a march honoring deceased sex workers ahead of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico City, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)
A woman stands next to the grave of a loved one celebrating the Day of the Dead at the cemetery of Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan state, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
A woman attends the traditional Catrina parade marking the Day of the Dead in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
People with skull make up march during the Paseo de las Animas parade as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Merida, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Zetina)
People with skull make up march during the Paseo de las Animas parade as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Merida, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Zetina)
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
A nun of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Saint Teresa, walks by the graves of their loved ones on All Souls' Day, in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
A man climbs apartment-type tombs at the hillside Barangka public cemetery in Marikina city, Philippines as people visit their loved ones during All Saints Day on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A women observe All Saints' Day, a time for reflecting on those who have died, in Kroczewo near Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Relatives lit candles and bring flowers and flags at the graves of the Ukrainian soldiers who died in the war with Russia on All Saints' Day on the Mars Field at Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Mykola Tys)
A man places flowers on a grave on All Saints' Day, a Catholic holiday to honor saints and remember deceased relatives, at a municipal cemetery in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Candles are lit during All Saints Day at the cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
Priests attend a Mass with Pope Leo XIV and the Jubilee of the Educational World on the Solemnity of All Saints, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, during which he will proclaim St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A woman sits by the grave of a relative during Day of the Dead festivites at the Tarapaca cemetery in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
A woman takes part in a Day of the Dead procession in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
The grave of Ezra Pound inside the San Michele cemetery, on All Soul's Day, in Venice, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
People take part in a Day of the Dead procession in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Mourners walk on the 'Votif' Bridge, a 407m temporary floating bridge connecting the city to the cemetery on the island of San Michele, to pay respects to their dead on All Soul's Day, in Venice, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
A grave is decorated with cempasuchil flowers and candles celebrating the Day of the Dead at the cemetery in Arocutin, Michoacan state, Mexico, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Families gather to keep company with their dearly departed celebrating the Day of the Dead at the cemetery in Arocutin, Michoacan state, Mexico, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
A woman sits next to the grave of a loved one celebrating the Day of the Dead at the cemetery of Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan state, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
A devotee takes part in a Voodoo ritual during the annual Fete Gede festival that celebrates Day of the Dead, honoring the Haitian spirits Baron Samedi and Gede, in the Delmas neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)
Devotees take part in the annual Fete Gede festival that celebrates Day of the Dead, honoring the Haitian spirits Baron Samedi and Gede, at a cemetery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)
A member of an Aztec dance group holds incense during a commemoration of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) at El Colegio High School in Minneapolis on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanna Dell'Orto)
Spectators cheer as they watch the annual Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)
Cipriana Soriano, right, and Mercedes Soriano return to their house after visiting the tomb of their loved ones during Day of the Dead celebration in Susques, Jujuy province, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Nina Valentina Nieva helps her uncle Lorena Plaza light a candle in memory of her mother, Lorena Luca, inside a chapel at the cemetery during Day of the Dead celebrations in Susques, Jujuy province, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Families gather to keep company with their dearly departed celebrating the Day of the Dead at the cemetery of Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan state, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Relatives place flowers on an altar honoring Nayely Domingo Ceras during the Day of the Dead celebrations at the cemetery of Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan state, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Women dance as they take part in the traditional Catrina parade marking the Day of the Dead in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
A skeleton sculpture stands on an altar at the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square, ahead of the Day of the Dead, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)
A girl dressed in a mariachi costume with skull makeup stands at the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square, ahead of the Day of the Dead, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)
Artists perform as a player of "pelota Maya" during the Paseo de las Animas parade as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Merida, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Zetina)
A man with skull make up holds a candle during the Paseo de las Animas parade as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Merida, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Zetina)
A members of Teatro del Pueblo dressed as La Catrina performs "La Danza de la Muerte" play, part of the Day of the Dead celebrations at Olvera Street, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Women take part in a march honoring deceased sex workers ahead of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico City, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Claudia Rosel)
A woman stands next to the grave of a loved one celebrating the Day of the Dead at the cemetery of Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan state, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
A woman attends the traditional Catrina parade marking the Day of the Dead in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
People with skull make up march during the Paseo de las Animas parade as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Merida, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Zetina)
People with skull make up march during the Paseo de las Animas parade as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Merida, Mexico, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Zetina)
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea have seized another sanctioned oil tanker that the Trump administration says has ties to Venezuela, part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of the South American country’s oil.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on social media that the U.S. Coast Guard had boarded the Motor Tanker Veronica early Thursday. She said the ship had previously passed through Venezuelan waters and was operating in defiance of President Donald Trump’s "established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”
U.S. Southern Command said Marines and sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to take part in the operation alongside a Coast Guard tactical team, which Noem said conducted the boarding as in previous raids. The military said the ship was seized “without incident.”
Noem posted a brief video that appeared to show part of the ship’s capture. The black-and-white footage showed helicopters hovering over the deck of a merchant vessel while armed troops dropped down on the deck by rope.
The Veronica is the sixth sanctioned tanker seized by U.S. forces as part of the effort by Trump’s administration to control the production, refining and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products and the fourth since the U.S. ouster of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid almost two weeks ago.
The Veronica last transmitted its location on Jan. 3 as being at anchor off the coast of Aruba, just north of Venezuela’s main oil terminal. According to the data it transmitted at the time, it was partially filled with crude.
The ship is currently listed as flying the flag of Guyana and is considered part of the shadow fleet that moves cargoes of oil in violation of U.S. sanctions.
According to its registration data, the ship also has been known as the Galileo, owned and managed by a company in Russia. In addition, a tanker with the same registration number previously sailed under the name Pegas and was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for moving cargoes of illicit Russian oil.
As with prior posts about such raids, Noem and the military framed the seizure as part of an effort to enforce the law. Noem argued that the multiple captures show that “there is no outrunning or escaping American justice.”
However, other officials in Trump's Republican administration have made clear that they see the actions as a way to generate cash as they seek to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry and restore its economy.
Trump met with executives from oil companies last week to discuss his goal of investing $100 billion in Venezuela to repair and upgrade its oil production and distribution. His administration has said it expects to sell at least 30 million to 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
This story has been corrected to show the Veronica is the fourth, not the third, tanker seized by U.S. forces since Maduro's capture.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks with reporters at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks with reporters at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks with reporters at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks with reporters at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks with reporters at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a press conference, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at a news conference at Harry Reid International Airport, Nov. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill, File)