Venezuela accuses Caribbean nation of involving in oil tanker seizure
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez issued an official statement via Telegram and Instagram, claiming that Trinidad and Tobago played a role in what she described as the “theft of Venezuelan oil” by the US. She labeled the action as piracy, violating international law and the principles of free navigation and trade.
Rodríguez specifically accused Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of pursuing a hostile agenda against Venezuela, including installing US military radars that she said harass Venezuelan oil shipments and effectively turn the island nation into a US military platform. In response, Maduro announced the termination of any contracts or agreements for the supply of natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago.
The seizure involved the tanker Skipper, carrying nearly 2 million barrels of heavy crude. US Attorney General Pam Bondi posted video footage of the operation showing armed personnel fast-roping from helicopters onto the vessel. The US Coast Guard led the operation, supported by Navy forces, executing a federal seizure warrant on a vessel sanctioned for involvement in an illegal oil shipping network linked to foreign terrorist organizations, including sanctioned crude from Venezuela and Iran. High-risk helicopter boardings at sea are rare, though US boarding teams train regularly for them.
Trinidad and Tobago announced shortly before the incident that it would allow US military aircraft access to its airports following radar installations. The government denied Venezuela’s claims, calling them false propaganda, and emphasized that the tanker seizure was carried out by US forces.
The incident further strains cooperation on the Dragon gas field, which holds an estimated 4.2 trillion cubic feet of reserves. While previously exempt from US sanctions, development has been repeatedly suspended amid rising regional tensions. The close proximity of the two nations—just seven miles apart—combined with increased US military presence in Trinidad and Tobago, has fueled concerns about escalating frictions in the Caribbean.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
