The U.S. tried to seize a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela on Wednesday. This action is part of President Donald Trump’s plan to control oil flows in the area and push Venezuela’s socialist government to ally with the U.S. After removing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, the U.S. is blocking sanctioned ships from entering and leaving Venezuelan waters. Two officials reported that the U.S. Coast Guard and military attempted to board a tanker that refused inspection last month and is flying a Russian flag.
The operation could lead to more conflict with Moscow, as a Russian submarine and other vessels have been nearby following a two-week chase in the Atlantic. Russia has condemned U.S. actions regarding Venezuela and is already in conflict with the West over the Ukraine war.
The Russian state broadcaster RT showed an image of a helicopter hovering near the tanker, named Marinera, suggesting that U.S. forces were trying to board it. The tanker is currently empty. The U.S. Coast Guard also intercepted another fully loaded tanker linked to Venezuela near the northeast coast of South America. This is the fourth incident of this kind in recent weeks.
China Condemns US ‘Bullying’
The Trump administration is trying to make a deal with Venezuela to send oil supplies from China and import up to $2 billion worth of crude oil. Trump has openly talked about controlling Venezuela’s large oil reserves with U.S. oil companies after removing President Nicolás Maduro, whom he calls a drug-trafficking dictator connected to the U.S.’s enemies.
Maduro’s allies in the Socialist Party still hold power in Venezuela. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez is trying to balance denouncing Maduro’s “kidnapping” while also starting cooperation with the U.S. under threats from Trump. Trump said the U.S. would refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of oil stuck in Venezuela due to a U.S. blockade. This would be the first step in his plan to revive the oil sector, despite Venezuela having the largest oil reserves in the world.
“This oil will be sold at its market price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States, to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!” Trump posted on Tuesday. Sources at the state oil company PDVSA told Reuters that negotiations for an export deal are moving forward, but Venezuela’s government has not made an official announcement.
Venezuelan Oil Output Will Struggle to Return Quickly to Previous Levels
Crude oil prices fell by about 1% in global markets due to expected increases in supply. The deal might require cargoes meant for Venezuela’s main buyer, China, to be redirected as Caracas tries to unload millions of barrels stuck in tankers and storage.
“The United States’ use of force against Venezuela, along with its demands for ‘America First’ regarding Venezuela’s oil, is typical bullying,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference. China, Russia, and Venezuela’s leftist allies have all criticized the U.S. action to capture Maduro, marking it as Washington’s largest intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama to remove Manuel Noriega.
Allies of the U.S. are worried about the dangerous precedent of trying to seize a foreign leader, especially as Trump threatens further action, from Mexico to Greenland, to support U.S. interests.
Dozens Died During Capture of Maduro
Details about the U.S. Special Forces operation in Caracas are still unclear. The forces reportedly flew in by helicopter at night on Saturday, broke through Maduro’s security, and captured him at the entrance of a safe room without any U.S. casualties.
Venezuela has not confirmed the total losses, but the army announced that 23 of its members died, and Cuba reported that 32 of its military and intelligence members were killed. Maduro, 63, who has been in power since his predecessor Hugo Chávez died in 2013, pleaded not guilty on Monday to drug-related charges in a Manhattan court, where he wore prison clothing and was shackled at the ankles.
Trump seems to think that working with Maduro’s senior allies is better for stability in Venezuela for now. He is focusing on reviving the oil sector with U.S. firms instead of prioritizing the release of political prisoners or organizing new elections for democratic change.
Venezuelan Opposition Kept Waiting
Maria Corina Machado is Venezuela’s main opposition leader. She disguised herself to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in October and wants to return home. She believes the opposition would win a free election easily. However, she is careful not to upset Donald Trump. She wants to personally give him the Nobel Prize, which he wanted, and which she dedicated to him at the time. She supports Trump’s goal of making Venezuela a key ally and an energy hub in the Americas.
The U.S. has warned Venezuelan officials, including Rodriguez and others, that they must cooperate. If they don’t, they could face the same fate as Maduro. Diosdado Cabello, the Interior Minister known for controlling security forces accused of human rights abuses, is under close watch, according to sources who spoke to Reuters.
Rodriguez is also under U.S. sanctions. Her foreign financial assets could be used as leverage, said a source familiar with the U.S. government’s plans.
Leave a Reply