Last Saturday (December 20), Venezuela's government fired off a strong protest against what it calls the "theft and kidnapping" of a private oil tanker by U.S. military forces in international waters. Authorities say the crew was forcibly taken, too, in an incident they label as modern-day piracy 🚢❌.
The statement accuses the U.S. of flouting core principles of maritime trade and freedom of navigation. Venezuelan officials pointed to breaches of international legal instruments and UN Charter norms, saying these actions seriously undermine global shipping rules 🌍.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed that U.S. forces seized the vessel off Venezuela's coast earlier that day. It's the second tanker seized in recent weeks amid a significant U.S. military build-up in the region.
This latest move follows U.S. President Donald Trump's order to block all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela – a tight squeeze on Caracas's vital oil exports ⛽.
As tensions rise, experts warn of risks to maritime security and call for dialogue to protect both commercial trade and crew safety. How do you see it playing out? Share your thoughts below 👇
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
