Armed soldiers descend from the helicopter onto the tanker on ropes and storm the captain's bridge with weapons drawn. These are not scenes from an action movie – as a result of this unexpected operation, the US Marines on Wednesday detained a 333 m long and 60 m wide vessel – the largest tanker ever confiscated by the US. The Skipper was apparently heading towards Cuba.
Stopping the tanker may be the beginning of a tactic by which Trump wants to bring the regime in Caracas to ruin. If Trump limits Venezuelan oil exports, Nicolas Maduro will lose a significant part of his income.
The White House says the tanker is part of an illegal network that funds foreign terrorist organizations. According to US Attorney General Pam Bondi, the vessel has so far been used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
Trump accuses Caracas of supporting drug smugglers, which threatens US security. The Americans carried out raids several times, bombing and destroying the small boats of suspected traders. In connection with these actions, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is currently accused of war crimes.
After the Skipper was detained – according to marinetraffic.com, it apparently took place in the Lesser Antilles – Trump cryptically stated that “other things are happening too.” He then announced “further actions.” What could he have meant?
Blocking oil exports
The U.S. sanctions list includes more than 30 entities that supply Venezuelan oil to customers around the world. To avoid sanctions, tankers often change names, flags and owners.
Venezuela is heavily dependent on the sale of its natural resources. The suspension of exports will increase energy prices in Venezuela and recipient countries such as China, India and Cuba. Thanks to the naval blockade, Americans can not only control and stop exports and imports from Venezuela.
The forces massed near the Venezuelan coast also enable the US to attack facilities in Venezuela. Potential targets include primarily drug factories and military facilities such as airports and command centers.
The Venezuelan government describes the boarding of the Skipper as “a daring attack and an act of international piracy.”
Venezuelan dictator Nicolas MaduroJesus Vargas / Contributor / Getty Images
According to the regime in Caracas, the United States is not concerned about migration, drugs or democracy, but simply about natural resources. Even though Maduro announced a “mass mobilization” a few weeks ago, he is unable to oppose the militarily superior United States. He cannot count on his friends from Russia, China, Cuba or Iran to dare to help him.
Trump's goal is to put economic pressure on Venezuela and divide the regime from within — until the Maduro regime collapses. According to The New York Times, Washington is also considering the risky scenario of taking control of Venezuela's oil fields.
By taking over the tanker, Donald Trump has further increased the pressure on Caracas. “His days are numbered,” the US president said of Nicolas Maduro. It seems that Washington is determined to take further steps towards Venezuela.
