The already tense standoff between the United States and Venezuela has sharply escalated after U.S. forces seized a large oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, prompting Caracas to accuse Washington of “blatant theft” and an “act of international piracy.”
The dramatic seizure, confirmed by U.S. officials, targets what the U.S. government claims is a sanctioned vessel involved in an illicit oil shipping network that supports foreign terrorist organizations.
The Operation and US Justification
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Coast Guard, supported by the military, executed a seizure warrant for the crude oil tanker. While the exact location of the seizure was near the coast of Venezuela, U.S.
President Donald Trump described it as the “largest one ever seized.”
The vessel, reportedly named “The Skipper,” was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 for its alleged links to Iran and Hezbollah. Bondi stated that the operation was conducted to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
When asked about the tanker’s cargo, President Trump simply stated, “Well, we keep it, I guess.”
Venezuela’s Fiery Response
The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, immediately condemned the action. In a statement posted by Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, Caracas:
- Denounced the seizure as “a blatant theft.”
- Described the act as “international piracy.”
- Accused Washington of finally revealing its true motive for aggression: the theft of Venezuela’s natural resources.
The statement concluded with a vow to “defend its sovereignty, natural resources, and national dignity with absolute determination” and to denounce the seizure before international bodies.
An Escalating Campaign
The tanker seizure represents a significant escalation in the U.S. pressure campaign against the Maduro government. It follows an increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and a series of U.S. strikes against alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the region, which have drawn scrutiny from legal experts and lawmakers.
The U.S. seizure warrant, executed under domestic law enforcement authority, is a highly unusual step, using military-supported force to commandeer a commercial vessel in international waters.
This move is certain to intensify the diplomatic and economic conflict between the two nations, further destabilizing the already volatile region.
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