The Guyana Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has condemned the illegal use of the country’s flag after a U.S. seizure of an oil tanker falsely claiming Guyanese registration. The U.S. authorities informed Guyana about the interception of the Motor Tanker SKIPPER, which was operating under Guyana’s flag despite not being registered there. MARAD is collaborating with international partners to address the unauthorized use of its flag, noting the concerning trend of vessels fraudulently operating under it. The U.S. seized the sanctioned tanker for its involvement in an illicit oil-shipping network, while Venezuela has condemned the action as theft.
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In response to the United States’ naval presence in the Caribbean, Nicolás Maduro has declared a state of external emergency in Venezuela, granting him expanded powers in defense and national security matters. The decree, which can last up to 180 days, was prompted by the deployment of U.S. military forces near Venezuelan waters, a move the Venezuelan government views as a threat and a pretext for regime change. Washington claims the deployment is part of an effort to combat drug trafficking, and earlier this month, U.S. forces carried out strikes on speedboats allegedly transporting narcotics from Venezuela, increasing tensions. The Venezuelan government has condemned the deployment as an act of coercion and a potential prelude to intervention.
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Venezuela building up troops on the Guyana border, as revealed by satellite images, has raised concerns and sparked discussions about the potential consequences of such actions. Many speculate on the motives behind this build-up and the potential response from neighboring countries and global powers.
One aspect that stands out is Brazil’s stance on the situation. Brazil has explicitly stated that it will not allow an invasion of a neighboring country, suggesting that it might be willing to intervene militarily to prevent a Venezuelan assault. It is hard to imagine that the leadership in Venezuela is naive enough to believe it could capture territory successfully.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker