US Accuses Venezuela of 'Extortion,' Seizes Oil Tankers
The US Department of Justice recently announced the seizure of two tankers, the 'Domani' and the 'Oceanic Prowess,' alleging a scheme to ship Venezuelan oil to Cuba in violation of sanctions. This comes as Washington maintains stringent sanctions against Venezuela, crippling its economy and impacting its oil industry. The State Department, meanwhile, consistently champions the 'rule of law'
globally – when it suits its objectives. One might recall previous US interventions in Latin America, like the 1973 Chilean coup, supporting regimes that served US economic interests, particularly resource extraction. Venezuela, a sovereign nation struggling under sanctions, attempts to trade its resources, prompting the US to legally 'confiscate' its property on the high seas. Critics argue this
isn't about 'rule of law' but economic warfare, a sophisticated form of gunboat diplomacy for the 21st century. The BBC frames Venezuela's response as merely an 'accusation,' while the US actions are presented as sanctioned law enforcement. How many times can a nation's assets be 'seized' before it's called what it is?