Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tanker An Act of Piracy

[pertello]

https://cpusa.org/article/u-s-seizure-of-venezuelas-oil-tanker-is-piracy/

The U.S. government’s illegal seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker. Reports indicate it was en route to Cuba. This is an act of piracy and a brazen escalation of imperialist aggression against the people of Latin America.
Under the fraudulent pretext of combating “terrorism” and “drugs,” this criminal action has two clear purposes. First, it is to provoke a conflict with the people of Venezuela, green-lighting a long-sought operation in order to seize the nation’s vast oil resources for the profits of Big Oil. Secondly, this attack is also a deliberate assault on the people of Cuba, who are another target of U.S. imperialism.
By stealing oil desperately needed to sustain Cuba’s economy, the Trump administration is weaponizing the illegitimate and bankrupt “State Sponsor of Terrorism” designation to inflict maximum suffering on the Cuban people. The admission by Trump that “we keep” the stolen cargo further exposes their motives of plunder and imperial domination.

[patphil]

1. It's all about the oil.

Trump doesn't care about drugs coming into the country other than how he can use that to further his ambitions.
In the case of Venezuela, branding them a narco-terrorist state sets the stage for further military action that he hopes will drive Maduro out of office so he can install a more friendly puppet as President, and set the stage for more US companies moving into the oil business there.

[Ocelot II]

2. Iraq 2.0. And we saw how that worked out, even with smarter people in charge.

[MineralMan]

3. Well, so says the Communist Party USA.

However, the ship was seized by the US Coast Guard, which seizes many, many boats and ships every year. They act on the instructions of the US Government. So, here's the thing: Coast Guard's and the Navy actual can seize ships and boats for several reasons. When they do, it is not seen as piracy, which is done by private parties, not governments.

It's a matter of laws and definitions. Disputes can be taken to an international maritime court. Nations are generally permitted to seize ships that are breaking laws or violating treaties or other applicable things.

So, the Coast Guard was not committing piracy. It will continue to sieze vessels that are breaking laws.

[pertello]

4. War Sustaining?

There are a few weak arguments for seizing the ship:
War sustaining operation, ie; transporting oil for war purposes. This is a weak defense, as it would need to be proven that the ship was not transporting oil for domestic use. .
Or, false representation. It was flying the flag of Guyana, and registered in the Marshall Islands. I might argue that this has been a common practice in S Atlantic waters (someone please enlighten me if I’m wrong g). However under UNCLOS this is illegal.
So, the more complicated answer is, there needs to be an investigation, otherwise Trump will seize anything that glitters, whether on land or sea.

[2naSalit]

5. And we are about to...

Be deemed a terrorist state by the rest of the world by the end of next Spring if we don't rid ourselves of this menace.

[Happy Hoosier]

6. Wait.. cpusa?

Gtfo of here with that.

[EX500rider]

7. Should be seized just for spoofing it's location data & flying a false flag

Guyana's maritime authority said it was falsely flying the country's flag.

[lame54]

8. Jack O' Lantern Sparrow wants the oil

[pertello]

9. Haha!!

That’s one of those great nicknames he inspires!