By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The United States seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela carrying sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, citing its role in supporting foreign terrorist organizations, according to U.S. officials. The vessel, identified as the Skipper, was transporting over a million barrels of crude oil, likely destined for Cuba. Caracas condemned the action as an attack on its natural resources and accused the U.S. of acting as criminals, while President Maduro warned of potential conflict. This seizure, occurring after a declared closure of Venezuelan airspace, has raised concerns that it may be a step towards an oil blockade and escalation of the conflict.
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Venezuela condemns U.S. seizure of supertanker as act of piracy. Well, that’s a statement, isn’t it? It immediately sets a tone of defiance, doesn’t it? However, let’s unpack this a bit. My initial thought is, shouldn’t the country where the tanker was flagged, be the one to raise this issue at the UN? But then, there’s a big “Oh… Wait…” moment.
Ok. Then, since this happened in Venezuelan waters, wouldn’t you expect Venezuela to take it up at the UN? Seems like a pretty logical course of action, right? But again, there’s a pause for thought, like someone just remembered something important.
Oh… Wait… How are they going to sail a boat illegally under a Guyana flag, then complain when it gets seized? It’s like, you’re doing something you shouldn’t, and then you’re shocked when there are consequences. I mean, the whole situation feels a bit, let’s say, self-inflicted. I’m sorry, isn’t that a Guyana ship? The thing to remember here is that international law actually permits this kind of enforcement action, and it’s pretty much within established norms. You are absolutely allowed to seize a vessel that’s flying a false flag.
That’s because a vessel can become “stateless.” When a ship flies a false flag, its “flag state jurisdiction” (which essentially means the country the ship is registered in, has authority) protection goes out the window under maritime law. It becomes, in a way, a ship without a country, and that opens the door for other states to step in and apply their own jurisdiction. In a scenario like this, the U.S. Coast Guard, for instance, can swoop in and say, “I declare jurisdiction! U.S. laws apply to you now, and you’re breaking them, so we’re arresting you and seizing the ship.”
And consider this – Iran is under sanctions that restrict its ability to sell oil, and it’s well-known to use a “shadow fleet” of ships to get around those sanctions. According to the available information, this particular ship was flying a Guyanese flag. However, the Guyanese government itself has stated the ship isn’t theirs. So, it appears the ship was pretending to be Guyanese when in reality it’s connected to Iran. This means the U.S. Coast Guard was perfectly within its rights, and acting in line with established maritime law, to interdict and seize the vessel.
You know, Guyana is probably pretty pleased that the U.S. took action against this unauthorized use of their flag. Not that the U.S. necessarily *needed* their permission under maritime law. And in this particular case, we’re talking about an Iranian tanker trying to evade sanctions – what else is new, right? So, there’s not much room for sympathy, legal definitions aside. Seizing an Iranian “shadow fleet” vessel involved in sanctions violations hardly qualifies as piracy.
If this were piracy, I’d say “Yarr harr fiddle dee dee!” 🎵 But this isn’t that. It’s a lawful interdiction. US: Look into our eyes Somalians, we’re the pirates now. 🤔 Iran importing Venezuelan crude oil? Flying a false flag and violating sanctions… oh noooo, anyways. I’m honestly surprised countries haven’t caught on to how much oil tankers need weapons. You could turn a tanker into a drone carrier for a tiny fraction of the value of one shipment of oil. So what? Are they gonna fight back? Float around and find out Hahahahahahahahahahahahahshshwhshshshshwhqhshshwhshshs Another great day for the nation of Guyana for it is victorious The international drug trafficker said that? lol This comment section is more like Americans’ comments—anything that benefits the U.S. can be done, and they find ways to slander Venezuela. The comments under the Russia-Ukraine war section clearly seem to be written by Chinese internet commentators. It’s not piracy, it’s *privateering.* I concur That’s because it *is* an act of piracy. [removed] Smart. America is just waiting for him to take the bait. I despise him but he’s clearly no fool. [deleted] [deleted] Didn’t RFk have a scam with Venezuela/ Citgo to get oil cheap for low income families in the winter? Send him down. [deleted] Duh!!!! Just checking tankers for drugs people Aarrggh. We be pirates now too. Let me fix me eye patch and steady me peg leg. Venezuela ye be screwed. “I’m just a Guyana ship..” Guyana didn’t think it was theirs! [deleted] Heartbreaking: worst government you know just made a good point. The ship is owned by a Ukrainian national. He was placed on the US sanction list in 2022 for transporting Iranian oil to the UAE. It was never owned by Iran. It was officially registered with the government of Guyana in 2024, under a shell corporation. Guyana probably doesn’t want to admit they allowed this to happen. How do you make a Pirate angry?
Take away the P. 🏴☠️ Putins going to have a fit. Good move. About the only sane comment in this post, though I believe it’s a Russian vessel.
Everyone spewing mass hysteria upvoting absolute nonsense As long as there were solid plans in place not to fuck with the ship’s crew, and to let the ships crew keep that cargo safe… Dude you would download a car? Pimp. Baller. I knew I liked you, dude. Venezuela has lost most of its refinery capacity over the years. So the crude gets shipped to other countries that can refine it. I think its the american troll farm coming out with the talking points. Not that either Corporations doing piracy? How so? No. It *isn’t*. This was a legal seizure against a sanctioned vessel known to have been involved in Iranian oil smuggling networks. It was also flying a false flag. It seems a lot of people really luf trump and his merry band of looters.
And seem to be okay with stealing crude from other countries.
This is quite interesting. Lol They can’t really do anything about though, ironically the US and Venezuela are the only two countries that aren’t in the UN about piracy. This actually took place in water, not space Why do pirates carry swords?
Because swords can’t walk.
🏴☠️😂 They asked Guyana for permission to seize it on their behalf… they said it’s not their ship and false flagging is enforced under maritime trade law, and governing body’s anywhere are allowed to seize for lawful purpose. Lobotomy comment 🙏 the ship was false flagging bro