U.S.-Venezuela Relations Strained as Sanctions Intensify Amid Oil Seizures

Venezuelan oil exports have sharply declined following the recent U.S. seizure of the Skipper tanker, marking the first capture of Venezuelan oil since sanctions were imposed in 2019, according to The Guardian US.

The U.S. attorney general stated that the tanker was intercepted under a seizure warrant and is now headed to Houston. The U.S. is preparing to intercept more vessels transporting Venezuelan oil, further escalating tensions with the Maduro government, which has condemned the seizure as theft and piracy.

Amidst these developments, Venezuelan lawmakers are considering withdrawing from the International Criminal Court, which is investigating alleged human rights abuses in Venezuela. In another significant event, U.S. special forces undertook a covert mission to extract opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from Venezuela, who received the Nobel Peace Prize while in hiding.

Machado's extraction took place as the U.S. continues to apply pressure on the Maduro regime, with reports of further sanctions being imposed on individuals and vessels linked to Maduro's family. The situation reflects the ongoing geopolitical struggles in the region, complicating relations between the U.S. and Venezuela, especially as Brazil's President Lula da Silva has initiated dialogue with Maduro, aiming for peace in South America, despite the U.S. not recognizing Maduro's legitimacy.