Venezuela Condemns U.S. Seizure of Oil Tanker as ‘Piracy’
Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker by U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea, labeling the move as an act of piracy. In a statement, the ministry called on the international community to take a stand against what it described as Washington’s coercive actions and to reject such behavior.
Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s Vice President, responded to the incident by saying, “Today, the masks have fallen, and it has become clear that the real goal of the United States is the illegal appropriation of Venezuela’s oil.” She asserted that Washington is seeking to gain control of the country’s oil resources without any form of payment.
Rodríguez described the seizure as a blatant violation of international law and said that Venezuela would utilize all international institutions and forums to expose what she called the U.S.’s unlawful actions. She also emphasized the need for national unity to defend Venezuela’s national interests and natural resources.
“Defending the nation’s assets is a sovereign right, and Venezuela will prevail on this path despite the pressures,” Rodríguez said.
Her remarks came after Bloomberg reported that U.S. forces had seized a Venezuelan oil tanker on the grounds that it was listed under sanctions.
In response to the report, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the seizure and stated that Washington would soon release images of the operation.
