Cuba Denounces US Seizure of Oil Tanker Off Venezuela as Piracy and Maritime Terrorism
Cuba's foreign ministry has condemned the recent U.S. seizure of the oil tanker Skipper off the coast of Venezuela, labeling the act as piracy and maritime terrorism. The ministry described the seizure as a violation of international law and criticized it as part of the U.S. maximum-pressure policy against Venezuela.
The Skipper was reportedly carrying nearly 2 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude oil. While its listed destination was Matanzas, Cuba, it off-loaded approximately 50,000 barrels to another ship before heading toward Asia. Venezuela's oil exports are heavily oriented toward China, whereas Cuba relies on Venezuelan oil in exchange for medical staff, security personnel, and other support.
The U.S. has expanded sanctions targeting oil shipments to Venezuela, as well as shipping companies, vessels, members of the Maduro family, and Ramón Carretero. These measures are part of broader efforts to disrupt Maduro's regime and its oil flows. Venezuela condemned the seizure as theft and piracy, with President Maduro's communications minister accusing the U.S. of piracy, kidnapping, and theft of private property.
U.S. prosecutors have unsealed a warrant to seize the Skipper, emphasizing that this case highlights ongoing efforts to intercept sanctioned vessels and enforce sanctions against adversaries. The warrant identifies the Skipper as part of an oil shipping network linked to Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), according to U.S. authorities.
Data tracked by Reuters indicate that about 30 of the 80 tankers waiting to load Venezuelan barrels are under sanctions. This reflects broader actions aimed at disrupting the so-called shadow fleet and securing stability in the Western Hemisphere.
