The United States is intensifying pressure on the Nicolas Maduro regime. On Saturday, December 20, it became known that another vessel had been seized in the Caribbean Sea. This happened several days after Donald Trump announced a "complete blockade" of sanctioned tankers operating with Venezuela.
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The tanker Centuries was sailing under the flag of Panama. It is reported that it was carrying about 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey crude oil and was heading to Asia.
The operation in international waters was carried out by the US Coast Guard with the support of the Pentagon. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem published a video showing a landing party disembarking from helicopters onto the ship's deck.
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.
The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund… pic.twitter.com/nSZ4mi6axc
According to media reports and maritime experts, this particular tanker was not on US sanctions lists, but US authorities exercised the right to inspect it due to suspicions of illegal activity.
Venezuela called the US actions "international piracy," "theft," and "abduction." Caracas officially stated that it would appeal to the UN Security Council.
Washington insists it is pursuing oil that, according to the American side, is used to finance "narco-terrorism."
On December 10, the US seized the tanker Skipper, which was under sanctions for its ties to Iran.
On December 16, Trump announced a "complete blockade" of all sanctioned vessels and recognized the Maduro government as a "foreign terrorist organization."
Comments
Tym bolš, hetaje sudna maje aficyjnuju pliacoūki, admyslova pryznačanuju dlia pasadki hielikoptara, dzie značna mienš niebiaspieki, a vysadku pravodzili ū zusim inšym miejscy, dzie mahčymasci znižennia dlia helikoptara vielmi abmiežavanyja...