Venezuela has formally accused the United States of “maritime piracy” after a Venezuelan oil shipment was seized in international waters, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
In a letter submitted to the United Nations Security Council, the government of President Nicolás Maduro said U.S. military forces boarded a private vessel on the high seas, detained its crew and confiscated a cargo of Venezuelan oil. Caracas said the shipment was part of a legitimate commercial transaction conducted in accordance with international law.
Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, in a letter addressed to Slovenia’s United Nations ambassador Samuel Žbogar, who currently chairs the Security Council, described the incident as part of a broader pattern of “coercion and aggression” by Washington, enforced through what he called unilateral and unlawful measures.
The letter cited Article 101 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which defines piracy, arguing that the seizure constituted a violation of international rules governing freedom of navigation and lawful maritime trade.
Venezuela demanded the immediate release of the detained crew, the return of the seized oil and an end to what it described as interference in its legitimate trade. It also called on the Security Council to condemn the incident, take steps to safeguard maritime navigation and clarify that no UN resolution authorises such actions against Venezuela or its oil exports.
The dispute comes amid heightened tensions between Caracas and Washington, as the United States continues to increase pressure on Venezuela, including through expanded military deployments in the Caribbean.
U.S. authorities have defended the seizure, saying vessels involved are part of an illicit shipping network used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, which Washington alleges supports foreign terrorist organisations.
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Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
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North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
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