Venezuela accuses the US of blackmail over the seizure of oil tankers
Venezuelan authorities have accused the United States of the "biggest blackmail" in the country's history after the seizure of two Venezuelan oil tankers by US forces. This was stated by Caracas' Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, during an emergency meeting of the Security Council in New York. It is reported by The Public with reference to the BBC.
According to him, Washington's actions are «worse than piracy» and are carried out outside the framework of international law. Moncada stressed that the United States has no jurisdiction in the Caribbean Sea, and he called the seizure of Venezuelan oil a robbery and an attempt to re-colonise the country. The Security Council meeting was convened after US forces intercepted tankers off the coast of Venezuela in early December and announced their intention to pursue another vessel.
On 16 December, President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. He said that the US could keep or sell the seized oil along with the vessels. At the same time, Washington has dramatically increased its military presence in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, deploying about 15,000 troops, aircraft carriers and warships. This is the largest deployment of forces in the region since the US invasion of Panama in 1989. The official goal is to combat fentanyl and cocaine smuggling.
The US military has also reported strikes on vessels it believes to be linked to drug trafficking. According to them, more than 20 boats were hit, killing at least 100 people. Some experts question the legality of such actions from the point of view of international humanitarian law.
In response, US Ambassador to the UN Michael Volz said that Washington does not recognise Nicolas Maduro as a legitimate president. According to him, the revenues from the sale of Venezuelan oil are allegedly used to support «narco-terrorist activities» and to maintain power.
During the meeting, Russia and China sided with Venezuela, accusing the US of pressure, aggression and the destruction of civilian vessels. A Russian diplomat warned that such practices could become a template for military action against other Latin American countries, while the Chinese side called on Washington to immediately stop and prevent further escalation.
Photo: BBC
