US Intensifies Pressure on Venezuela: Seizure of Oil Tanker Sparks Outrage

On Thursday, a Venezuelan oil tanker was transferred to a US port as part of an escalating military initiative by the Trump administration targeting Venezuela in the Caribbean. The tanker, named Skipper, was seized under a US judge's orders due to its alleged connections to Iranian oil smuggling, although it was transporting Venezuelan crude at the time of interception. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the US intends to follow legal protocols concerning the seizure of the oil aboard the vessel. The operation was performed with the collaboration of the US Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, and the Coast Guard. Heavily armed personnel conducted the operation, boarding the tanker from helicopters and fast boats. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro labeled the seizure as criminal piracy, noting that the crew members of the ship are currently unaccounted for. He plans to bring the incident to the attention of international agencies. According to Maduro, the tanker was carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of oil, asserting that the operation represents an effort by the US military to appropriate Venezuelan resources. The Skipper was sailing under a Guyanese flag, raising further complications in its seizure, as Guyana has supported US military efforts in the region. Guyanese maritime authorities confirmed that the tanker is not registered in Guyana, denouncing the misuse of their flag as unacceptable. As tensions mount, Maduro has adopted a public stance that combines defiance with calls for peace. During a televised appearance in Caracas, he expressed his anti-war sentiment through an electronic remix of slogans such as 'No war for oil' and 'We don’t want a war in the Caribbean,' incorporating both English and Spanish phrases. His recent performances, which have seen him merge political rhetoric with popular music, are part of a broader strategy to rally public support amid rising pressure from the US. In the backdrop of these developments, Maduro has also criticized opposition leader María Corina Machado, highlighting her support for international intervention while she was overseas receiving a Nobel Peace Prize. Maduro warned that her actions may render her a fugitive if she returns to Venezuela. On the US end, President Trump refrained from commenting specifically on the oil aspect during his remarks, instead framing the military buildup in the region as necessary for addressing broader issues like immigration and drug trafficking. He claimed that operations to dismantle drug trafficking routes have already seen significant reductions in activity, although critics argue the focus on oil speaks to a deeper, more strategic goal of undermining Maduro’s administration. Colombia and Cuba have both condemned the US actions, with Colombia expressing willingness to grant asylum to Maduro if needed. Meanwhile, Cuba's president condemned the seizure as an act of piracy that violates international law. Alongside the seizure of the Skipper, the US Treasury imposed new sanctions on various individuals connected to Maduro's family, intensifying the economic squeeze on the Venezuelan leadership. This latest round of measures illustrates the multifaceted approach the Trump administration is taking towards Venezuela, as they navigate a complex geopolitical situation marked by resource conflicts and military posturing. Critics of the military actions have posited that the US aims solely to destabilize Maduro's government under the guise of fighting drug trafficking and promoting democracy, while the Venezuelan government maintains that these actions represent blatant theft and aggression against its sovereignty. As this maritime incident unfolds, it is poised to escalate the already fraught relations between the US and Venezuela, with potential consequences extending beyond the Caribbean. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2