Venezuela has accused the United States of committing the “greatest extortion” following the seizure of two Venezuelan oil tankers earlier this month, during an emergency UN Security Council session in New York. Venezuelan officials described the US actions as “worse than piracy” and condemned what they called an illegal attempt to control Venezuelan resources.

The emergency session focused on Washington’s seizure of the tankers, which took place off the coast of Venezuela. The US has also stated that it is pursuing a third Venezuelan oil tanker, escalating tensions between the two countries.

US Naval Blockade and Military Build-Up

On 16 December, President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of all sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, authorizing the US to retain or sell the crude oil and vessels seized. This action is part of a broader military deployment, including 15,000 troops, aircraft carriers, and warships in the Caribbean and Pacific—the largest US presence in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama.

Trump has justified the deployment as part of an effort to stop the flow of fentanyl and cocaine into the United States, while targeting Venezuelan drug-smuggling operations. Since September, US forces have carried out strikes on more than 20 Venezuelan vessels, resulting in at least 100 deaths. Some legal experts argue that these strikes may violate international law governing armed conflict.

Venezuela’s Response at the UN

Speaking at the Security Council, Venezuela’s ambassador, Samuel Moncada, condemned the US actions as illegal and an attempt to recolonize the country. He stated:

“We are in the presence of a power that acts outside of international law, demanding that Venezuelans vacate our country and hand it over… We are talking about pillaging, looting, and recolonisation of Venezuela. The US government does not have jurisdiction in the Caribbean.”

Moncada also questioned the link between Venezuela’s oil industry and drug trafficking, calling US claims unfounded.

US Position

In response, the US Ambassador to the UN, Michael Waltz, emphasized that the United States does not recognize Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. Waltz accused Maduro of using oil revenues to fund “narco-terrorist activities” and maintain fraudulent claims to power.

International Reactions

Venezuelan President Maduro reported overwhelming support for Venezuela at the UN. Meanwhile, Russia and China criticized the US, accusing it of aggression and bullying. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia warned that other nations could face similar actions, calling the strikes on Venezuelan vessels a “template for future use of force against Latin American states.” Chinese envoy Sun Lei urged the US to halt its operations immediately to prevent further escalation.

Implications for US-Venezuela Relations

The seizure of oil tankers and the naval blockade mark a significant escalation in US-Venezuela tensions, intensifying diplomatic disputes and raising concerns over regional stability in the Caribbean. The situation highlights ongoing friction over drug trafficking, oil resources, and sovereignty issues in Latin America, with potential repercussions for international law and US foreign policy in the region.