Venezuela Accuses US of Extortion in Oil Tanker Seizure

Venezuela has officially accused the United States of committing “the greatest extortion” during a recent emergency session of the UN Security Council. This accusation follows the US seizure of two Venezuelan oil tankers off the country’s coast earlier this month, an act described by Venezuela’s UN ambassador as “worse than piracy.”

Details of the Seizure and US Military Activities

The extraordinary meeting of the Security Council was called to discuss the repercussions of the US actions. The US is also pursuing a third oil tanker from Venezuela. President Donald Trump has labeled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a leader of a drug cartel, asserting that criminal gangs have operated without consequences for too long.

• On 16 December, Trump imposed a naval blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering and exiting Venezuela.
• According to Trump, the US may retain or sell the crude oil captured from these tankers.
• Currently, the US has deployed 15,000 troops along with various naval assets, marking the largest military presence in the Caribbean since the Panama invasion in 1989.

Casualties and Legal Concerns

In recent months, the US has targeted over 20 vessels in both the Pacific and Caribbean, leading to the deaths of approximately 100 individuals. This military campaign has raised concerns among experts about potential violations of international laws governing armed conflict.

Venezuelan Response at the UN

During the Security Council meeting, Venezuelan envoy Samuel Moncada stated that the US acts outside international law. He condemned the US for “pillaging and looting” Venezuelan resources, asserting that US actions have no legitimate jurisdiction in the Caribbean. He questioned the US rationale, asking, “What does that have to do with drugs?”

US Perspective and International Reactions

In response, US Ambassador Michael Waltz reiterated that the US does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. He claimed that Maduro’s control over oil funds supports his “narco-terrorist activities.”

Amidst these tensions, President Maduro claimed that the Security Council supports Venezuela, while nations like Russia and China have criticized the US for aggression. Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, warned that US actions against Venezuelan vessels could lead to broader aggression against other Latin American countries. China’s envoy, Sun Lei, urged the US to cease its operations and avoid escalating tensions further.