Despite the U.S. blockade and tanker seizures, Chinese oil tankers continue to operate near Venezuelan waters. Two Chinese-flagged VLCCs, Thousand Sunny and Xing Ye, are heading towards and waiting near Venezuelan ports, respectively, carrying possible oil shipments. These actions come as China publicly opposes U.S. actions against Venezuela, which has led to increased tension in the region. The U.S. continues to escalate its military presence, with a focus on cutting off oil revenues to Caracas.
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The US military conducted a lethal strike against a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The strike, carried out under Operation Southern Spear, aligns with a campaign initiated by the Trump administration targeting narcotics trafficking. This latest incident brings the total number of individuals killed in such strikes to at least 107. The strikes, which have drawn criticism, are part of a broader strategy against Venezuela, including military build-up and a blockade, as the US government ramps up pressure against the country.
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The CIA conducted its first known drone strike inside Venezuela earlier this month, targeting a port facility believed to be used by the Tren de Aragua gang for drug trafficking. The strike, which occurred on a remote dock, destroyed the facility and its boats with no casualties reported. While US Special Operations Forces were rumored to have provided intelligence support, they denied involvement. This attack, acknowledged by President Trump, marks an escalation of tensions and is part of a broader US campaign against Venezuelan drug trafficking, which has been compared to the war on terror.
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Trump says US hit Venezuela dock where drugs were allegedly loaded, and that statement immediately plunges us into a complex web of questions and concerns. The core of this is the very act of a US president seemingly declaring a military action against another sovereign nation, but with a highly questionable premise. We’re talking about a claim, a dock used for alleged drug loading. Not confirmed, just allegedly. It immediately triggers a cascade of doubts. Why this specific target? Is there any solid proof of this activity, or is it a pretext for something else?
The focus on “allegedly” is a major red flag.… Continue reading
The Defense Secretary’s aggressive tactics against alleged narcoterrorists have backfired, potentially enabling them to evade prosecution. A recent bombing on a boat suspected of carrying drugs from Ecuador, directed by the Secretary, destroyed crucial evidence that could have been used to arrest the survivors. Consequently, the Ecuadorian government was forced to release one of the survivors, who had a history of drug trafficking. This outcome directly contradicts the Secretary’s tough-on-narcoterrorism stance and has raised questions about the effectiveness and legality of his methods, potentially jeopardizing his position.
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Venezuela’s UN ambassador, Samuel Moncada, addressed the UN Security Council, denouncing U.S. military actions, including air strikes and a naval blockade, as part of a broader plan for continental ambitions. Moncada accused the U.S. of violating international and domestic law, highlighting the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers and the confiscation of millions of barrels of oil. The U.S. defended its actions as law enforcement, aiming to combat drug trafficking, despite being called an act of war. Ambassadors from Russia and China also expressed concerns, warning against potential intervention and infringement on Venezuela’s sovereignty.
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Reuters Exclusive: US Coast Guard lacks forces to seize Venezuela-linked tanker for now, sources say. This headline, like a cold splash of reality, immediately brings up questions – a lot of them. It makes you wonder how the US Coast Guard, a vital branch of our nation’s security, finds itself in this position.
The crux of the matter appears to be a lack of available resources to seize a tanker. That immediately leads to thoughts of logistical challenges. It’s a complex dance involving ships, personnel, jurisdiction, and the often-murky waters of international law. The fact that this tanker is linked to Venezuela adds another layer of complexity, considering existing sanctions and geopolitical tensions.… Continue reading
The United States intends to retain or sell seized Venezuelan oil and the tankers themselves, as stated by President Trump. This decision aligns with the ongoing US pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government, accusing Venezuela of using oil revenue for illicit activities, prompting condemnation from Caracas. The US military has already seized multiple oil tankers, and is actively pursuing a third, part of what the US describes as a Venezuelan “dark fleet”. Simultaneously, the US military conducted a strike on a suspected trafficking vessel in international waters, resulting in one fatality.
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The United States recently intercepted the oil tanker Centuries, carrying 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil destined for China. China’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the seizure, labeling it a violation of international law and asserting Venezuela’s right to independent relations. The US intercepted the tanker off the Venezuelan coast, days after a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers was announced. The US justified its actions, citing the vessel’s false registration and its cargo of sanctioned oil, while Venezuela called the interception an act of piracy.
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The U.S. Coast Guard is currently pursuing the sanctioned vessel Bella 1 in international waters off Venezuela. This vessel, added to the U.S. sanctions list in June 2024, is accused of involvement in a network supporting Houthi financial facilitator Sa’id al-Jamal and is flying a false flag. If captured, it would be the third such vessel intercepted by the U.S. in the Caribbean, following the seizure of the Skipper and another tanker carrying sanctioned oil. These actions occur amidst escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, including recent U.S. strikes and the consideration of further military action.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood