US Seizes Tanker in Venezuelan Waters, Cites 'Rules-Based Order'
The US, according to The Guardian, is busy seizing Venezuelan oil tankers, with the latest, the Olina, apprehended in the Caribbean. The alleged crime? Falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste, an offense worthy of international maritime intervention, it seems. One might wonder what other 'flags of convenience' (or inconvenience) might warrant such proactive measures, especially when the sovereign
waters of nations like, say, Saudi Arabia, are continuously transited without so much as a stern look. This aggressive 'control' of another nation's resources, particularly when the nation in question, Venezuela, has resisted US-backed regime change attempts for decades, raises questions about what 'rules' are actually being upheld. Historically, US involvement in Latin American energy sectors has
frequently followed a pattern of destabilization and economic coercion, a pattern conveniently omitted from the narrative of combating 'false flags.' It seems some nations' sovereignty is more equal than others when crude oil is involved.