Venezuela Calls U.S. Oil Tanker Seizure an Act of Piracy
On Wednesday, Venezuela responded strongly against the seizure of an oil tanker by the U.S., labeling it an “act of international piracy.” The Venezuelan government criticized the action, describing it as “blatant theft” and part of a larger effort to undermine the country’s sovereignty and control over its natural resources.
In a statement released by Correo del Orinoco, a state-run news agency, Venezuelan officials highlighted the seizure’s significance in the context of the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that a coalition involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security, and the Coast Guard executed the operation. She stated the tanker was allegedly transporting oil linked to sanctions imposed on Venezuela and Iran.
“Over the years, this tanker has been sanctioned due to its connection to an illegal oil shipping network,” Bondi noted in a social media post. She confirmed that the operation was conducted safely and emphasized that efforts to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil are ongoing.
Bondi shared video footage showing U.S. forces descending onto the vessel from a helicopter during the operation.
President Donald Trump discussed the seizure during a roundtable event at the White House, referring to the tanker as the “largest one ever seized.” He stated, “It was seized for a very good reason,” and added, “I guess we keep it,” when asked about the oil onboard.
The situation adds to the increasing military presence in the Caribbean as U.S. actions related to drug trafficking and sanctions continue to escalate in the region.
