U. S. Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tanker: Is It Piracy or Justice?

In recent times, the United States has taken control of a Venezuelan oil tanker named the Skipper. This move has sparked a heated debate.

• U.S. Claims: The ship was involved in illegal oil smuggling and supporting terrorism.
• Venezuela's Response: President Maduro calls it an act of piracy, believing the U.S. is trying to control Venezuela's oil and destabilize his government.

Historical Context

This is not the first time the U.S. has seized ships:

• Vietnam War: A U.S. freighter was captured by Cambodia. President Ford called it piracy and bombed Cambodian ports.
• USS Pueblo: North Korea seized the ship. President Johnson did not retaliate immediately but built up military presence in the area.

Recent Actions in the Caribbean

The U.S. has also taken action against other ships in the Caribbean, claiming they were involved in drug trafficking and terrorism. However, many people question these actions:

• Criticism: Some U.S. representatives call them extrajudicial killings, arguing that the U.S. is killing people without proper trials or evidence.

Increased Military Presence

The U.S. has increased its military presence in the region:

• USS Gerald Ford: Now stationed there with thousands of sailors and fighter jets.
• Expert Opinions: Some believe this is part of a plan to remove Maduro from power, pointing to other U.S. actions like sending the CIA and conducting military flybys.

Key Questions

This situation raises important questions:

• Is the U.S. seeking war or regime change?
• Is it really about stopping drug trafficking and terrorism?
• Or is it about controlling Venezuela's oil?

The U.S. should provide clear answers. Just as we demanded answers from other countries when they attacked our ships, we should demand answers from our own leaders now.