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US Seizes Second Oil Tanker: Venezuela Condemns "Act of Piracy"

U.S. forces have seized another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking the second such incident this month. President Donald Trump has announced a "total and complete blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from the country. The Venezuelan government has fiercely condemned these actions, calling them "a blatant theft and an act of international piracy." This escalation significantly increases tensions, with Trump framing it as a response to assets he claims Venezuela stole.

Key Points: US Forces Seize Second Oil Tanker Off Venezuela Coast

  • US Coast Guard seized a second tanker in a pre-dawn raid off Venezuela's coast
  • President Trump announced a total naval blockade of all sanctioned tankers
  • Venezuela condemned the seizures as a violation of international law and free trade
  • Trump demands the return of oil and assets he claims were stolen from the US
2 min read

US forces seize 2nd oil tanker off coast of Venezuela

US forces seize another oil tanker near Venezuela, escalating tensions as Trump announces a total blockade and Caracas condemns the move as piracy.

"a blatant theft and an act of international piracy - Venezuelan Government"

Washington, Dec 21

US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said Saturday that the US forces seized another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela earlier in the day.

"In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela," Noem said on X.

The US military seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on December 10, a move the Venezuelan government condemned as "a blatant theft and an act of international piracy," Xinhua news agency reported.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has ordered a total blockade of all US-sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela. He also said in a later interview that the United States will continue seizing additional oil tankers.

Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America," Trump wrote in a lengthy post on his social media platform. "It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before -- Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us."

In the post, Trump announced "A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela" and demanded the return of oil and assets.

The Venezuelan government responded to Trump's post, calling his declaration a "reckless and serious threat," against the country that it says violates international law, free trade and freedom of navigation.

"The President of the United States intends to impose in an absolutely irrational manner, a supposed naval military blockade on Venezuela with the objective of stealing the wealth that belongs to our homeland," the Venezuelan government said in a statement.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
While I don't support any violation of international law, we must also remember that such unilateral actions by powerful nations set a dangerous precedent. It reminds us why a multipolar world is necessary for global stability.
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Aman W
Trump's language is so aggressive! "Largest Armada ever assembled in South America" – sounds like a threat of war, not diplomacy. This will only increase tensions in the region. Very worrying for global peace.
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Sarah B
From an Indian perspective, this is a stark reminder of energy security. We import oil from many regions. Such blockades disrupt global supply chains and can eventually affect prices for consumers everywhere, including here.
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Karthik V
The Venezuelan government calling it "international piracy" is spot on. You can't just seize another country's assets on the high seas because you have sanctions on them. International law must be respected by all.
D
David E
I have to respectfully disagree with some comments here. While the method is harsh, sanctions are a tool to pressure regimes. The Maduro government is not exactly democratic. The situation is complex.

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