Seized at Sea

Uncle Sam’s laying out his long-term strategy for Venezuela. 

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Rubio outlined the Trump Admin’s “threefold plan”: 

• Stabilize Venezuela and prevent “chaos” by controlling the country’s oil exports;
• Help Venezuela recover by freeing Maduro’s political opponents and securing American access to the country’s oil market;
• And eventually oversee a transition of power. 

Rubio said the U.S. will “quarantine” 30-50M barrels of Venezuelan oil and manage its sale, ensuring profits “benefit the Venezuelan people, not corruption.” Democrats argue the admin is “stealing Venezuelan oil at gunpoint.” 

As part of its oil-quarantining efforts, the U.S. seized two Venezuelan-linked oil tankers in the North Atlantic on Wednesday. One of the sanctioned vessels—a Russian-flagged ship reportedly part of a “shadow fleet”—had been evading the Coast Guard for weeks. Russia called the capture “blatant piracy.” 

Verse to consider whether you’re planning international relations, your retirement, or your next family vacation… “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” 
Romans 12:2 (CSB) (read full passage)