U.S. hijacks another Venezuelan oil tanker in the Indian Ocean — “legalized piracy”
The United States military has seized a Venezuela-linked crude oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking the vessel from the Caribbean for weeks. The ship was reportedly carrying about 700,000 barrels of oil when American forces boarded and took control of it.
Washington says the operation is part of enforcing sanctions and a naval blockade ordered by President Donald Trump against Venezuela’s oil exports. However, critics argue the vessel was intercepted in international waters, thousands of kilometres from U.S. territory, raising serious questions about international law and sovereignty.
The Pentagon openly stated its forces can enforce its will “halfway around the world”, signalling that any tanker linked to Venezuelan oil could now be targeted regardless of location.
Venezuela and several analysts have condemned the action, describing it as economic warfare and legalized piracy on the high seas.