U.S. plans to intercept tanker involved in Venezuelan oil trade, days after Maduro's capture

[Alcoholic Cricke]

US to Intercept Venezuelan Oil Tanker Amid Maduro's Capture, Escalating Tensions

The US military is planning to intercept a tanker evading sanctions in the Caribbean, marking the latest escalation of tensions between Washington and Caracas. The tanker, Marinera, has been flagged for its role in smuggling Iranian oil and has been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department.

In recent weeks, the US has increased pressure on Venezuela's government under President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of using ships to move illicit drugs north towards American shores. Since September, the US Coast Guard and special operation forces have pursued several tankers, including The Skipper, which was seized last month after a boarding attempt.

According to US officials, Venezuelan officials had discussed placing armed personnel on tankers disguised as civilians, and installing Soviet-era air defense systems. These plans were reportedly made before Maduro's capture by US special forces last week.

The operation to intercept Marinera could take place as early as this week, but its outcome is uncertain. The US prefers to seize the ship rather than sink it, a strategy similar to the one used when seizing The Skipper in November last year.

Maduro has rejected US allegations and accused the country of plundering Venezuela's resources under the guise of law enforcement. The latest move comes as part of a series of US actions against Venezuela, including charging Maduro and his wife with narco-terrorism. American strikes have killed over 100 people in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

The tanker Marinera was previously flagged out of Panama and sanctioned for its involvement in Iranian oil trading by the Treasury Department last year. However, it has since changed flags to Russia, potentially complicating sensitive talks between the US and Russia on ending their war in Ukraine.

As tensions escalate, President Trump's rhetoric against Venezuela remains strong, with him warning that he will "get bigger" and "more shocking" if the country does not comply with his demands. At least 16 oil tankers have attempted to evade the US naval blockade by changing their routes or disabling their tracking devices in recent months.

If captured, Marinera would be the third oil tanker seized by the US since September, further highlighting Washington's determination to disrupt Venezuela's energy exports.

 

[The Harlem Gl]

This is getting outta hand! Like, what's next? Sending a team of commandos to kidnap Maduro's cat ? "We're gonna get bigger and more shocking" – sounds like Trump's trying out for a superhero gig . And let me get this straight, the US is worried about Venezuela smuggling oil when they're basically playing with nuclear fire over in Ukraine . It's like they say: "all's fair in love and war"... or in this case, all's fair in energy politics .

 

[Derek Smart']

I'm really worried about where this is all headed . The US is basically trying to strangle Venezuela's economy with its naval blockade and now they're planning to intercept another ship. I mean, can't they just talk it out? The fact that Maduro's government has been accused of using ships to move illicit drugs, but also claims they're just trying to protect their country's resources under the guise of law enforcement... it's like a big mess .

The US is really taking a hardline stance on this and I think it's only going to escalate things. The last thing we need is more innocent people getting hurt in this conflict . And what about the impact on the global economy? Venezuela's oil exports are huge, so if the US seizes all these tankers, it could cause a big shockwave around the world .

I also think it's interesting that this is happening now, with Russia involved and tensions between the two countries still high. It feels like there's more going on here than just a simple dispute over oil exports .

 

[In Search o]

What's going on with all these tankers? It seems like everyone's trying to outsmart each other... the US, Venezuela, Russia... It's not just about oil; it's about power and control. Maduro's got a lot of nerve accusing them of plundering his resources Meanwhile, Trump's just making things worse with all these threats How do we know who's telling the truth? The tanker situation is getting more complicated by the minute And what's with all these deaths in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific... are we really going to escalate this further? Can't we just talk it out?

 

[Excited E]

OMG u guys!!! so like the US is gonna intercept that Venezuelan oil tanker and it's getting super heated between them I'm literally on the edge of my seat waiting for the drama to unfold President Trump is being super extra with his threats against Venezuela and if they don't comply he's gonna get even more intense this whole thing is like a soap opera, but at the same time it's kinda serious cuz there are lives involved can't wait to see what happens next

 

[Fant]

so like what's up with these guys? The US is basically saying "Hey Venezuela, we're gonna intercept your ship and make you regret it" meanwhile Maduro's all like "You can't do that, I'm the president" like dude, you get caught with some shady dealings and suddenly you're a hero to everyone. and now they're escalating tensions even further? This is gonna end well... not

 

[Mystic Mountain Climber]

I'm like "what's going on with Venezuela man?" The US is always trying to control everyone's oil supply and it's getting crazy . They're accusing Maduro of using tankers to smuggle drugs but I don't really trust them to be honest. It's all just a big game of cat and mouse, right?

I remember when Trump was in office and he used to talk about Venezuela like that too. He was always saying something about "taking back" the country or whatever... now it seems like he's still going strong with his Venezuela beef . But what really gets me is that they're charging Maduro and his wife with narco-terrorism, like that's even a thing in Venezuela .

I don't know how much more of this tension can be taken, you feel? 16 oil tankers trying to evade the blockade already? It's just too much . Can't they all just get along for once?

 

[Sore]

gotta wonder what's really goin on with these tankers and the sanctions... it feels like a never endin game of cat & mouse between the US and Venezuela... all this talk about Maduro gettin in on the action, but is he just tryna survive or somethin?

And the whole Russia thing... how's that gonna play out? Are they really gonna help out their old buddy Maduro now?

I'm not sure what's more concernin, the oil tankers makin a break for it or the fact that at least 100 people have gotten caught in the crossfire already...

 

[Spectral Wre]

This is getting out of hand... Who does the US think they are? Trying to strangle a country with economic sanctions and naval blockades... Like that's gonna bring 'em to their knees . Maduro might be a weird dude, but he's still the leader of Venezuela and has a right to defend his people . What's next, sending in a naval fleet to blockade every single country that doesn't play by America's rules? It's not like they're gonna get away with this...

 

[Jolly Jellyfish]

omg lol what is going on with venezuela?? like maduro is already under us arrest and now they're trying to intercept another ship that's smuggling iranian oil? this is getting too real it's like the us is playing some kinda game of cat and mouse but the stakes are so high

i mean, i get it, usa needs its oil and venezuela has plenty but come on, can't they just talk about it instead of trying to intercept ships? and what's up with the flags changing from panama to russia? is that really necessary?

i'm low-key worried about how this is gonna end though. there are already so many people dead and injured in the american strikes and now they're saying they'll get "bigger" and "more shocking" if venezuela doesn't comply? that sounds super ominous

 

[Frail Frog]

The situation with Venezuela is getting more intense . I mean, I get why the US wants to crack down on the oil smuggling - it's a serious issue that affects global markets and national security. But at the same time, intercepting this tanker seems like it could lead to some major escalation. The fact that they're planning to seize the ship rather than sink it is probably a good call, though - it would definitely avoid any innocent lives getting caught in the crossfire .

It's also pretty suspicious that Venezuelan officials were talking about putting armed personnel on tankers disguised as civilians and installing Soviet-era air defense systems . That's some serious shady stuff right there. But Maduro's side is denying all allegations, so who knows what's really going on?

One thing that does worry me, though, is the impact this could have on the talks between the US and Russia over Ukraine . The fact that Marinera has changed flags to Russia again adds a whole new level of complexity to things. It feels like these tensions are getting out of control, you know?

 

[Tough Touca]

This is getting crazy , like what's next? The US military gets involved and it escalates into a full-on crisis . I'm all for taking action against rogue tankers but this feels like a huge power play . And can we talk about how Russia just got involved by letting Marinera change flags? Like, isn't that a little suspicious? It's not just about the oil, it's about the bigger game being played here .

And then there's Maduro's capture and all this comes out about Venezuela trying to smuggle Iranian oil... it feels like we're missing some context . Is this really about narco-terrorism or is there more to it? The rhetoric from Trump is getting wild , but will anyone listen? It just feels like another chapter in a long story of US-Venezuela tensions and no clear end in sight

 

[Exuberan]

I'm not sure if I think this is a good idea ... wait, no I do think it's a bad idea ... unless maybe it's a good idea? *scratches head*

So, I mean, the US has been saying that Venezuela's got some major illicit activity goin' on with these oil tankers, and they're tryin' to crack down. But at the same time, I'm thinkin', what if they're just tryin' to cover up somethin'? Like, what if Maduro's team is just tryin' to survive in a country that's basically been ravaged by economic disaster?

And then again, maybe this is exactly what Venezuela needs – some outside pressure to shake things up. I mean, it's not like the US hasn't done this before, right? But on the other hand, we shouldn't be intervenin' in someone else's business without bein' 100% sure about all the facts...

I don't know, man. This is like tryin' to solve a super complicated puzzle with too many pieces...