In a Letter to the Security Council, Venezuela Accuses the United States of Piracy

Venezuela accused the United States of "piracy" for detaining a Venezuelan oil tanker in an official letter to the United Nations Security Council regarding the incident.

The Venezuelan Ministry of Interior stated in its letter sent to the Security Council on Wednesday that U.S. forces detained the oil tanker along with its crew and illegally seized a shipment of Venezuelan oil.

The letter confirmed that the confiscated oil was part of a legitimate commercial activity under international law.

It added that the incident occurred within the framework of the "policy of coercion and ongoing aggression" practiced by the United States against Venezuela.

The letter pointed out that this action constitutes a "blatant violation of legal regulations protecting freedom of navigation and legitimate international trade," accusing the United States of "piracy."

The letter demanded the immediate release of the detained crew, the return of the confiscated oil, and an end to interference in the country's legitimate trade.

On Tuesday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump issued instructions to ban and blockade all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, stating that his administration considers the Venezuelan government a "foreign terrorist organization."

On December 11, Trump announced the seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, noting that the operation was "for a good reason" and that they would keep it.

Tensions have recently escalated between the United States and Venezuela, with Trump issuing an executive order last August to increase military use under the pretext of "combating drug gangs" in Latin America.

In this context, Washington announced the deployment of warships and a submarine off the coast of Venezuela, while U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the military is ready for operations, including regime change in Venezuela.

In response, President Maduro announced the mobilization of forces totaling 4.5 million people in Venezuela, preparing to repel any potential attack.

The attacks carried out by the U.S. military on boats in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, alleging drug trafficking and directly targeting people on board, have sparked controversy over "extrajudicial killings" in the international community.