Opinion | Oil, Not Order: The Real Motive Behind America’s Global Strong-Arm Tactics |
Somali pirates are maritime criminals operating from Somalia’s coast, primarily in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, known for hijacking ships and holding crews for ransom, a practice peaking around 2011 due to state collapse, illegal fishing, and waste dumping. Recent years, however, have seen a resurgence in attacks despite international efforts and Best Management Practices (BMPs). Their methods involve swift skiffs, mother ships, and weapons like rocket launchers, targeting cargo vessels for large payouts, with onshore support for logistics and negotiations. Though on the decline for a few years, the maritime lawlessness has resurfaced in 2024-25 with statelessness and joblessness.
The United States military has seized as many as five oil tankers in the Caribbean, as it continues to target vessels sanctioned by Washington in its pressure campaign against Venezuela with a veneer and facade of legitimacy. More shocking was the subsequent capture by American forces of its President Maduro to face trial in the United States for his alleged insidious role in drug trafficking into the US. Solidarity marches also broke out internationally, with demonstrators in countries like South Africa and Sweden condemning the US........