The US military has announced the seizure of another oil tanker with connections to Venezuela, this time in the Caribbean Sea. This latest action underscores the ongoing efforts by the United States to exert control over Venezuela's oil resources as part of a broader geopolitical strategy.
Seventh Apprehension in Trump's Campaign
This report marks the seventh such apprehension since the initiation of Donald Trump's month-long campaign aimed at controlling Venezuela's oil flows. The US military's Southern Command, which oversees nearly a dozen warships and thousands of troops in the Caribbean, stated that the Motor Vessel Sagitta was apprehended "without incident" on Tuesday.
Statement from US Southern Command
In a formal statement, the Southern Command emphasised its resolve, saying: "The apprehension of another tanker operating in defiance of President Trump's established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean demonstrates our resolve to ensure that the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully." This highlights the strict enforcement of sanctions and the US commitment to regulating oil exports from the region.
Background on US Policy in Venezuela
President Trump has made Venezuela a focal point of his foreign policy in Latin America, initially aiming to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power. After diplomatic efforts failed, Trump ordered a daring overnight raid on 3 January, where US forces flew into the country to capture Maduro and his wife, bringing them to New York to face criminal charges, where they remain detained.
Trump has stated that the US plans to control Venezuela's oil resources indefinitely as part of a $100 billion plan to rebuild the country's dilapidated oil industry. This ambitious initiative has raised concerns among various groups, including environmentalists and major US oil companies, who question its feasibility and impact.
Pattern of Intercepted Vessels
The vessels intercepted in this campaign have typically been either under US sanctions or part of a "shadow fleet" of ships that disguise their origins to transport oil from major sanctioned producers such as Iran, Russia, or Venezuela. This pattern reflects the US strategy to curb illicit oil flows and enforce international sanctions rigorously.
This ongoing situation continues to shape US-Venezuela relations and has significant implications for global oil markets and geopolitical dynamics in the Caribbean region.
