Venezuela Condemns US ‘Theft, Hijacking’ of Second Oil Tanker, Pledges to Bring Case to UN
The Venezuelan government has vehemently condemned what it describes as the United States' "theft and hijacking" of a second oil tanker near its shores, announcing plans to seek legal recourse against Washington. This includes the intention to lodge a formal complaint with the United Nations.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez issued a statement on Saturday following the interception and seizure by U.S. forces of the Panama-flagged tanker, Centuries, which was carrying approximately 2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil in the Caribbean Sea.
Venezuela’s Petroleum Minister Rodriguez strongly criticized the United States’ actions, labeling them as a “serious act of international piracy.”
Caracas has officially condemned and dismissed allegations of the “theft and hijacking” of a private vessel carrying oil, as well as the alleged forced disappearance of its crew. The incident, reportedly involving U.S. military personnel in international waters, has been met with strong opposition from Venezuelan authorities, according to a statement.
Rodriguez asserted that the Venezuelan populace will triumph over the “colonialist model” that the Trump administration is attempting to enforce upon the country.
She emphasized that these actions would not remain without consequences, stating her nation plans to undertake “all pertinent measures, including lodging a complaint with the United Nations Security Council, various multilateral bodies, and global governments.”
Earlier today, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem released a video depicting American forces seizing an oil tanker. She affirmed that the United States remains committed to addressing the purported “illicit movement of sanctioned oil.”
Jeremy Paner, a partner at the Washington-based Hughes Hubbard law firm, stated that the vessel in question has not been subjected to U.S. sanctions.
On Tuesday, Trump enacted a blockade targeting oil tankers traveling through Venezuela, asserting that the country had appropriated U.S. “oil, land, and other assets.”
Venezuela’s UN Ambassador, Samuel Moncada, sharply criticized Washington’s statements, labeling them as a “grotesque offense” to civilized standards and suggesting they represent a resurgence of 19th-century imperialist policies.
On December 10, the United States conducted an operation resulting in the seizure of a commercial vessel named the Skipper. This vessel, laden with Venezuelan crude oil, was intercepted off the coast of Venezuela, an action that has been denounced as an instance of naval piracy.
In recent months, the United States has intensified its pressure campaign on Venezuela by deploying thousands of troops and a carrier strike group to the Caribbean. This move comes alongside repeated warnings directed at Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
In recent developments, United States military operations have launched a series of deadly assaults targeting suspected drug trafficking vessels, resulting in the deaths of over 104 individuals since September.
Caracas has accused Washington of pursuing a “regime change” strategy in Venezuela, allegedly aiming to seize control of the nation’s oil resources.
