Venezuela condemns US seizure of second oil tanker: theft and piracy
In a new escalation of tensions between Caracas and Washington, the Venezuelan government has leveled strong accusations against the United States, condemning what it described as a "theft and hijacking" operation targeting a second oil tanker off its coast. This incident further complicates the geopolitical landscape in the region, amidst an exchange of accusations and attempts to exert influence.
Details of the government statement and the Venezuelan threat
The Venezuelan government issued an official statement early Sunday morning, strongly condemning what it considered a blatant violation of its sovereignty and national resources. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez shared excerpts of the statement on social media, asserting that these actions constitute a violation of international law.
Rodríguez's remarks were delivered in a firm tone, vowing retaliation. "These actions will not go unpunished," she stated, emphasizing that those responsible for these "serious" events would be held accountable. She added that history and justice would judge the perpetrators of these "criminal acts," a clear reference to the US sanctions targeting Venezuela's energy sector.
Background of the conflict and the sanctions war
This incident cannot be separated from the tense historical and political context between the two countries. For years, the United States has imposed a series of harsh economic sanctions on Venezuela, specifically targeting the state-owned oil company PDVSA, with the aim of exerting political pressure on the government of President Nicolás Maduro. Washington considers these sanctions necessary to restore democracy, while Caracas describes them as an “economic war” intended to starve the Venezuelan people and seize control of their oil wealth.
The US authorities often resort to seizing oil shipments or ships that they believe are violating the imposed sanctions regime, or those that have links to prohibited entities, which Venezuela considers “maritime piracy” carried out under the cover of unilateral US law.
Strategic importance and impact of the incident
This event is particularly significant given Venezuela's status as one of the world's largest holders of proven oil reserves. The repeated tanker seizures not only further damage Venezuela's already struggling economy but also cast a shadow over the volatile global energy market.
Observers believe that the continuation of these incidents could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis inside Venezuela due to the lack of resources, and it also reinforces the state of international polarization, as these pressures push Venezuela to strengthen its alliances with other international powers that are rivals to the United States, turning the Caribbean and Latin America into a contested sphere of influence.
