China and Russia Support Venezuela Amid US Blockade and Pressure on Maduro
China and Russia have pledged support for Venezuela amid a US blockade targeting sanctioned oil tankers and ongoing pressure on President Nicolás Maduro. The US blockade has significantly slowed port activity in Venezuela, leaving many loaded tankers stranded and millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil unable to be exported. This has caused buyers to demand larger discounts on the crude.
Former US President Donald Trump has urged Maduro to step down and stated that the US would either keep or sell oil seized off Venezuela’s coast. As part of enforcement actions, the Panama-flagged tanker Centuries, which is linked to Venezuela’s shadow fleet, was intercepted. Panamanian authorities reported that the ship violated maritime rules by altering its name and disconnecting its transponder while carrying oil from Venezuela.
China has condemned these ship seizures, calling them violations of international law. Beijing emphasized Venezuela's right to develop international relations freely and expressed opposition to unilateral sanctions. China imports about 4% of Venezuela's crude oil.
Russia and Venezuela also criticized US actions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Venezuelan Minister Yván Gil voiced deep concern over the situation. Russia reaffirmed its full support for Maduro and the Venezuelan leadership.
Additionally, the empty tanker Bella 1 was intercepted but found drifting northeast of Bermuda. The US Coast Guard had not boarded this vessel. US operations have also included strikes on vessels alleged to traffic drugs; these actions have reportedly resulted in over 100 deaths, according to families and governments.
