Caracas states that the latest tanker seizure is a part of Washington’s effort to change the regime and seize the country’s oil
Venezuela has strongly condemned the US for seizing another oil tanker off its coasts, accusing Washington of conducting an “act of piracy” as part of a broader campaign to overthrow the government in Caracas and take control of the country’s vast energy resources.
In an official statement released on Saturday, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry condemned what it referred to as the “theft and hijacking” of a private vessel carrying Venezuelan oil in international waters and accused US military personnel of the “forced disappearance” of its crew.
Caracas said that the seizure was not an isolated event but rather a part of what it called a “colonialist model” being imposed by Washington to deprive Venezuela of its sovereignty and natural wealth. The government vowed to seek accountability through international bodies, including the UN Security Council, warning that those responsible would be judged by “justice and history.”
Trump has openly associated the confrontation with Venezuela’s oil, alleging that the Latin American country “stole” US energy assets and threatening that Caracas would face the power of what he called “the largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America” unless it returned them.
Russia and China have both cautioned that the increasing US military presence and vessel seizures risk causing greater instability, urging restraint and respect for international law.