US Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tankers Amidst Pressure on Maduro
The US government has seized crude oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela, with President Trump stating that the US will keep or sell the oil as well as retain the ships themselves. This action is part of ongoing US efforts to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to step down, amidst extensive sanctions on Venezuela.
In recent weeks, two oil tankers were seized, including one on Saturday, with a third tanker currently pursued by the US Coast Guard as part of a so-called "dark fleet" connected to Venezuela. The US accuses Maduro's government of using oil revenue to fund drug-related criminal activities, while Caracas has condemned the seizures as acts of piracy.
Separately, the US military conducted a strike on a suspected trafficking vessel in international waters in the eastern Pacific, resulting in one death. The US has expanded its military presence in the Pacific and Caribbean, conducting deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats that have resulted in around 100 deaths. However, there is no public evidence confirming these vessels carried drugs, leading to scrutiny from Congress.
President Trump suggested that the program targeting tankers at sea may aim to force Maduro from power and stated it would be wise for Maduro to step down. He also indicated plans to initiate a similar program targeting land based assets, implying broader actions beyond maritime operations.
In response, Maduro urged Trump to focus on Venezuela's economic and social challenges, asserting the world would be better if the US concentrated on its own affairs. The US has designated Maduro's government as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and recently ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. In turn, Venezuela has requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address what it describes as ongoing US aggression.
