U.S. Seizes Seventh Sanctioned Tanker Linked to Venezuela Amid Oil Control Efforts
The U.S. military apprehended another sanctioned oil tanker connected to Venezuela in the Caribbean on Tuesday, marking the seventh such seizure since the start of President Donald Trump's campaign to control Venezuela's oil flows.
Background
The U.S. Southern Command announced on social media that the Motor Vessel Sagitta was taken without incident,
adding that the tanker was operating in defiance of President Trump's established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.
This action was part of the U.S. military's mission, codenamed #OpSouthernSpear, aimed at curbing illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere.
The U.S. has been making concerted efforts to control Venezuela's oil trade in a bid to further pressure the South American nation's leadership. The seizure of the Sagitta came just ahead of a meeting between President Trump and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Recent Developments
The seizure of the Sagitta is the latest in a series of similar actions by the U.S. forces in the Caribbean. It is the seventh tanker to be seized for defying U.S. sanctions, according to military officials. Previously, the U.S. seized the Motor/Tanker Veronica, marking the sixth vessel targeted in recent weeks connected to Venezuela.
The U.S. has since ramped up its campaign against illicit oil trade by Venezuela, leveraging the resources of the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group and the U.S. Coast Guard, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security.
Reactions and Implications
While these operations underscore the U.S.'s commitment to ensuring the legality of oil transport in the region, they have drawn criticism from some quarters. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the seizure of the Russian-flagged Marinera as a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and has called on Washington to release the vessel.
In a related development, the U.S. has announced the first sale of Venezuelan oil since it took control of the sector, following the arrest of Nicolas Maduro. An unnamed U.S. official disclosed that the deal is worth $500 million, and additional sales could occur in the coming weeks.
However, this move has stirred controversy back in the U.S., with Democratic senators, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, launching an investigation into the role of major U.S. banks in assisting the Trump administration in the sale of Venezuelan oil. The lawmakers have expressed concerns over the preservation of Venezuelan oil revenue in accounts controlled by U.S. banks.
Current Status
As the U.S. continues its campaign to control Venezuela's oil flows, the implications of these actions for international maritime laws and the Venezuelan economy remain to be fully seen. The situation continues to evolve, with global stakeholders watching closely, and the U.S. military remains steadfast in its resolve to curb illicit oil transport activities in the region.