Venezuela accuses U.S. of ‘maritime piracy’ over seized oil cargo

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.

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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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