The U.S. seizure of an oil tanker captain in the Caribbean is just another example of the inconsistencies, lies, and ridiculous claims that have characterized Trump’s justifications for his actions against Venezuela. As Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-New York), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, pointed out, this seizure clearly shows that Southern Command’s bombing of 42 ships had nothing to do with drug trafficking. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt described the captain’s shipment as “black market oil” because U.S. sanctions have left Venezuela with no alternative way to export its oil. It would be as if a judge were to sentence a person to stop breathing, and when the person inhaled, the judge declared that he had broken the law.
At the same time, Trump imposed sanctions on six additional shipping companies transporting Venezuelan oil. The foundation is being laid for more seizures. The Financial Times has now revealed that “55 sanctioned tankers participated in Venezuelan oil transactions last year.” Why doesn’t the Trump administration just come out and say it? The United States is blockading Venezuela.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration said Skipper, a company known to fund terrorist groups, particularly Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was being targeted. But the oil belongs to Venezuela, not the captain. According to that logic, the United States should return its oil to Venezuela. It’s not likely to happen.
