Venezuela approves law against piracy and naval blockades amid US seizures of oil tankers

United States maintains naval siege on Venezuela Venezuela approved this Tuesday (23) a law that provides for prison sentences of up to 20 years for anyone who promotes or finances what it describes as piracy or blockades. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp The proposal, named the project “To Guarantee Freedom of Navigation and Commerce against Piracy, Blockades and Other International Illegal Acts”, was voted on in the National Assembly of Venezuela, controlled by the Nicolás Maduro government party, and approved unanimously. Now, it will be forwarded to the Executive for approval and will come into force as soon as it is published in the Official Gazette. The law, which includes “other international crimes”, comes amid operations carried out by the United States against shipments of Venezuelan oil. Trump government shows action that seized second oil tanker coming from Venezuela On the 10th of this month, the American government seized the first oil tanker. The second interception confirmed by Washington occurred on the 20th, days after President Donald Trump announced a total blockade of vessels leaving Venezuelan ports. On both occasions, the Venezuelan government accused the US of “piracy”. On Monday, he stated that he will take “all appropriate measures”, including seeking the UN Security Council to file a complaint. During this Tuesday’s session, the president of the Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, who is an ally of Maduro, also harshly criticized the opposition. He accused María Corina Machado and her allies, who have been making statements in support of the Trump administration’s actions, of promoting sanctions against Venezuela and said: “They stole, looted and bowed to American imperialism. They are satisfied with the aggressive actions that are currently taking place in the Caribbean Sea.” The president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Jorge Rodríguez REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria Exchange of barbs between Trump and Maduro This Monday (22), Donald Trump and Nicolás Maduro once again exchanged barbs. Trump, who announced a new class of warships named after himself at a White House event, said the “smartest” thing the Venezuelan could do is resign. Asked if his government wants to remove Maduro from power, he said: “That depends on him, on what he wants to do. I think it would be smart of him to do that [renunciar]. If he wants to play tough, it will be the last time.” Maduro, during a Venezuelan producers’ fair, needled the American president and said that he “would be better off” if he focused more on his country, and not on Venezuela. “I think President Trump could do better in his country and in the world. He would be better off in the world if he focused on his own country’s problems. It is not possible for 70% of your speeches and statements to be [sobre] Venezuela. And what about the United States?” he asked. Maduro and Trump in archive photos Reuters Trump’s statement came hours after his Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, stated that Maduro “has to leave” power in an interview with the American broadcaster Fox News. When asked about the oil tankers coming from the country that have been intercepted by the US, Noem stated: “We are not only intercepting ships, but we are also sending a message to the world that the illegal activity in which Maduro participates cannot be tolerated; he has to leave.” Kristi Noem, US Secretary of Homeland Security Reproduction Officially, the Trump administration has never confirmed that its military offensive in Venezuela is aimed at regime change. Since August, when the military offensive in the Caribbean began, President Donald Trump and his allies have stated that the focus is on combating drug trafficking and the entry of drugs into American territory. In a recent interview with “Vanity Fair” magazine, Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff, had already suggested that Trump’s true objective is to take away Maduro from power. Also on Monday, American operations were criticized by Russia and China. The Chinese government stated that the “arbitrary seizure” of ships from other countries by the United States constitutes a serious violation of international law. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, the country is opposed to all “unilateral and illegal sanctions” by the US. by the US of being the leader of the Cartel de los Soles, described as a group linked to drug trafficking, and offering a reward of US$50 million – the equivalent of R$277 million – for information leading to his capture. The United States Armed Forces have also carried out a series of attacks against vessels that were allegedly used for drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific.

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