US Seizes Chinese-Owned Oil Tanker Off Venezuela, Citing Sanctioned Oil Movement

Venezuela Condemns US Oil Tanker Seizure

• 🏛️ The Venezuelan government has described the United States' seizure of an oil tanker as theft and hijacking.
• ⚖️ Venezuela stated these actions will not go unpunished and announced plans to appeal to the UN Security Council.

US Operation Against Sanctioned Oil

• 🚢 US Coast Guard forces, with a specialized tactical team, seized an oil tanker that had recently departed Venezuela.
• 🚨 This marks the second time in two weeks that US forces have conducted such an operation in the region.
• 🗣️ Homeland Security head Christy Gnome warned that the US will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil used to fund narco-terrorism.

"Centuries" Tanker and Shadow Fleet Allegations

• 🇨🇳 The seized ship, identified as the "Centuries," is a Chinese-owned, Panama-flagged oil tanker.
• 🚫 While not on the US Treasury's list of sanctioned vessels, Washington alleges it was transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela's state oil company.
• 🚢 The US claims the tanker was operating as part of Venezuela's "shadow fleet".

Escalation of US Actions in the Region

• 📈 The seizure represents an escalation in US activities in the Caribbean.
• ⚓ The US has deployed a significant military presence, intercepting numerous boats alleged to be narco-trafficking vessels.
• ⚠️ These operations have reportedly resulted in over a hundred deaths.