Hundreds of motorcyclists gathered in Caracas to protest the US seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers, condemning the action as “piracy” against the country’s oil shipments. The demonstration came after the US Navy intercepted two oil tankers carrying Venezuelan crude as part of an ongoing naval blockade of the Latin American country.
The protesters, who rode through the streets of Caracas on Monday, were denouncing US President Donald Trump’s attempts to seize Venezuela’s natural resources, particularly oil. They viewed the tanker seizures as illegal and a threat to Venezuela’s sovereignty. “We came out to repudiate the US president’s actions, which we see as an attempt to steal our oil and undermine our country’s sovereignty,” a protester told state broadcaster teleSUR.
The protest coincided with the Venezuelan National Assembly’s advancement of an anti-piracy bill aimed at protecting the country’s commercial relations and citizens from what lawmakers described as the “predatory actions” of the US government. The bill is seen as a response to the US blockade, which Venezuela has denounced as piracy.
The US has justified the blockade by claiming that Venezuela “stole” US energy assets, with President Trump warning that Caracas will face significant consequences unless it returns them. However, Venezuela has maintained that the US measures are an attempt to effect regime change and gain control of the country’s vast oil reserves.
The US blockade has drawn international condemnation, with Russia and China urging restraint and respect for international law. They have warned that the US military action could trigger wider instability in the region. The incident has highlighted the escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela, with the latter accusing the former of seeking to undermine its sovereignty and exploit its natural resources.
The situation remains volatile, with Venezuela’s government vowing to defend its sovereignty and the US maintaining its blockade. The international community is watching the situation closely, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. As the standoff continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what impact it will have on the region.
