Venezuela Introduces Harsh Penalties in Response to US Actions
World
Against the backdrop of escalating conflict with the US, the Venezuelan parliament urgently passed a law providing for criminal penalties, including up to 20 years in prison, for the seizure of oil tankers. This is a direct response to the actions of the US Navy, which in recent months has been detaining vessels with Venezuelan oil in international waters.
The Venezuelan parliament on Tuesday urgently approved a law introducing criminal liability for actions hindering the country's shipping and trade. The new measures, including fines and imprisonment for up to 20 years, are aimed at individuals who encourage, finance, or participate in "acts of piracy, blockades, or other international illegal actions" against commercial organizations working with Venezuela.
The adoption of the law became Caracas's direct response to a series of seizures of oil tankers by the US Navy in the Caribbean Sea as part of the pressure campaign by the administration of Donald Trump. The American side claims that these vessels are used to evade sanctions and finance the government of Nicolás Maduro, which the US considers illegitimate and linked to drug trafficking.
At an emergency UN Security Council meeting convened at Venezuela's initiative, US Ambassador Mike Waltz stated that Washington would continue to deprive Maduro of oil revenues, which, he said, finance "narco-terrorist activity." Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada, in response, accused the US of acting "outside the framework of international law" and attempting to impose a maritime blockade, which is essentially a "military act."
The law, awaiting the signature of President Maduro, also obliges the government to create mechanisms for economic protection for companies doing business with Venezuela. At the same time, the country's internal political opposition, including Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, supports Trump's hard line against the Maduro regime.
The adoption of the law became Caracas's direct response to a series of seizures of oil tankers by the US Navy in the Caribbean Sea as part of the pressure campaign by the administration of Donald Trump. The American side claims that these vessels are used to evade sanctions and finance the government of Nicolás Maduro, which the US considers illegitimate and linked to drug trafficking.
At an emergency UN Security Council meeting convened at Venezuela's initiative, US Ambassador Mike Waltz stated that Washington would continue to deprive Maduro of oil revenues, which, he said, finance "narco-terrorist activity." Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada, in response, accused the US of acting "outside the framework of international law" and attempting to impose a maritime blockade, which is essentially a "military act."
The law, awaiting the signature of President Maduro, also obliges the government to create mechanisms for economic protection for companies doing business with Venezuela. At the same time, the country's internal political opposition, including Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, supports Trump's hard line against the Maduro regime.
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