2025 U.S. - Venezuela conflict

[Lumber]

So, valid Panamanian flag on the ship. No sanctions naming the ship - either international, or unilateral American. It’s likely carrying Venezuelan oil, which the U.S. has unilaterally declared sanctioned. I’m struggling to understand what legal authority the U.S. has to board and seize that vessel in international waters. Any of our maritime types able to weigh in?

Just look right here. -->| |<---. Did you see it?

Enforcing criminal law on the high seas is the jurisdiction of the flag state (in this case, Panama), but there are exception. Things like counter piracy/slavery can be done by anyone on the high seas.

Sanctions can be enforced on the high seas, but that usually only applies to internationally recognized (i.e. UN level) sanctions, and regardless of the level at which the sanctions are enacted, they usually come with a lot of additional and complicated legal frameworks about how enforcement will be conducted.

 

[HavokFour]

I’m seeing claims now that the newly seized ship is owned and managed by a Chinese business. If that checks out, China’s reaction will be interesting.

Critical mineral deal they (the US) have with China would possibly be taken behind the shed.

 

[GR66]

Just look right here. -->| |<---. Did you see it?

Enforcing criminal law on the high seas is the jurisdiction of the flag state (in this case, Panama), but there are exception. Things like counter piracy/slavery can be done by anyone on the high seas.

Sanctions can be enforced on the high seas, but that usually only applies to internationally recognized (i.e. UN level) sanctions, and regardless of the level at which the sanctions are enacted, they usually come with a lot of additional and complicated legal frameworks about how enforcement will be conducted.

So, since (as per Trump) the Panama Canal rightly belongs to the United States then while their carrier group is in the area the US should "repatriate" Panama as a US territory...then they can legally board any Panamanian-flagged ships they want. See? That's how you make it legal!

 

[brihard]

Reuters is reporting the US Coast Guard are pursuing and attempting to seize another sanctioned tanker off the coast of Venezuela this morning.

US pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say

It would be the second such operation this weekend and the third in less than a week.

www.reuters.com

 

[OldSolduer]

Reuters is reporting the US Coast Guard are pursuing and attempting to seize another sanctioned tanker off the coast of Venezuela this morning.

US pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say

It would be the second such operation this weekend and the third in less than a week.

www.reuters.com

This ain't gonna end well.

Wars have been declared over lesser reasons.

 

[RangerRay]

The “no new wars” guy is trying really hard to foment a new war.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-fentanyl-mass-destruction-executive-order-9.7017131

Never mind that fentanyl does not come from Venezuela but from the PRC, whom he authorized the sale of powerful Nvidia chips to.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/08/u-s-to-allow-nvidias-h200-sales-in-china-trump-confirms-00681619

 

[MilEME09]

The “no new wars” guy is trying really hard to foment a new war.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-fentanyl-mass-destruction-executive-order-9.7017131

Never mind that fentanyl does not come from Venezuela but from the PRC, whom he authorized the sale of powerful Nvidia chips to.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/08/u-s-to-allow-nvidias-h200-sales-in-china-trump-confirms-00681619

Its always about money and power. If it was about drugs, china would of been hit 10x harder than us, just like if we cared about human rights we wouldn't be dealing with Saudi Arabia, the collective west has the luxury of picking and closing what evils we want to ignore

 

[Eaglelord17]

Its always about money and power. If it was about drugs, china would of been hit 10x harder than us, just like if we cared about human rights we wouldn't be dealing with Saudi Arabia, the collective west has the luxury of picking and closing what evils we want to ignore

As much as we pretend to be the bastion of morals, we are morally bankrupt. Lots of works, lack of deeds.

 

[lenaitch]

The “no new wars” guy is trying really hard to foment a new war.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-fentanyl-mass-destruction-executive-order-9.7017131

Never mind that fentanyl does not come from Venezuela but from the PRC, whom he authorized the sale of powerful Nvidia chips to.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/08/u-s-to-allow-nvidias-h200-sales-in-china-trump-confirms-00681619

And never mind that Executive Orders can't make law, only direct that laws 'be faithfully executed'.

This is similar to his order down-classing cannabis. He can direct federal agencies to treat it a certain way, but he can't re-classify the drug. Then again, if Congress actually cared and earned its keep they might have something to say about it.

 

[Good2Golf]

Last I saw, the cocaine trade is very demand-sided. As long as Americans want coke ( whom people shouldn’t confuse with the destruction that opioids bring to communities) the cartels will meet that demand.

Which is effectively why Trump pardoned Honduran ex-President Hernández.

 

[brihard]

Which is effectively why Trump pardoned Honduran ex-President Hernández.

Only history will be able to properly judge the abject hilarity of that act at this time.

 

[Kirkhill]

Frontline report: Russian shadow fleet tankers make U-turns as US announces total blockade of Venezuelan oil exports - Euromaidan Press

With over 30 of the 80 vessels near Venezuelan waters already sanctioned, Washington signals it will no longer tolerate the shadow fleet model.

euromaidanpress.com

Madman theory - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Trump's son says 'unpredictable' president could quit Ukraine peace deal

Donald Trump Jr said the war between Ukraine and Russia is not a priority for Americans as gangs bringing illegal drugs into the US are a 'far greater clear and present danger'

www.mirror.co.uk

Sweden Boards and Detains Russian Gun-Running Vessel

Sweden's customs agency has completed an investigation aboard the Russian cargo ship Adler, which broke down in the Kattegat and was inspected by Swe...

maritime-executive.com

 

[RangerRay]

Trump's son says 'unpredictable' president could quit Ukraine peace deal

Donald Trump Jr said the war between Ukraine and Russia is not a priority for Americans as gangs bringing illegal drugs into the US are a 'far greater clear and present danger'

www.mirror.co.uk

Ironic considering this is theoretically interfering with his coke supply…

 

[HavokFour]

Something is happening later today. I am going to assume there's a high chance it's regarding Venezuela considering who's there.

SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO

4:30 p.m. Secretary Rubio attends President Trump’s announcement with the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy in Palm Beach, Florida.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY THE WHITE HOUSE)

Technical Difficulties

 

[Retired AF Guy]

Something is happening later today. I am going to assume there's a high chance it's regarding Venezuela considering who's there.

Technical Difficulties

 

[dapaterson]

Something is happening later today. I am going to assume there's a high chance it's regarding Venezuela considering who's there.

Technical Difficulties

"Media determined by the White House" is symptomatic of the administration's contempt for the press.

 

[brihard]

Something is happening later today. I am going to assume there's a high chance it's regarding Venezuela considering who's there.

Technical Difficulties

No, it’s dumber. Trump is announcing new large surface combatants he’s going to be calling “battleships”.

Trump to unveil plans for new U.S. ‘battleship’, reports say

President Donald Trump is expected to announce plans for a new class of large US Navy surface combatants he has described as “battleships”.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

 

[MilEME09]

No, it’s dumber. Trump is announcing new large surface combatants he’s going to be calling “battleships”.

Trump to unveil plans for new U.S. ‘battleship’, reports say

President Donald Trump is expected to announce plans for a new class of large US Navy surface combatants he has described as “battleships”.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

Does he want railway guns while we are at it?

 

[McG]

Does he want railway guns while we are at it?

No. Those are too modern. He wants castles.

… with ballrooms.

 

[OldSolduer]

No. Those are too modern. He wants castles.

… with ballrooms.

I would prefer sharks with frickin laser beams.....but I am not an evil dictator.