EXPLAINER
‘Act of piracy’ or law: Can the US legally seize a Venezuelan tanker?
The US seized an oil tanker, a move that sent oil prices higher and escalated tensions between Washington and Caracas.
![Voters line up at a polling station during general elections in Georgetown, Guyana, Monday, September 1, 2025 [Matias Delacroix/AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AP25244416673162-1756737417.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne, left, and Suriname President Chan Santokhi embrace after France's TotalEnergies and US APA Corp announced they would invest in Suriname's most promising oil and gas project, Block 58 [Ranu Abhelakh/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-10-01T160747Z_1028088505_RC2LBAA471Q0_RTRMADP_3_SURINAME-TOTALENERGIES-1732794875.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Advertisement
Content Feed
Russell and Chase to the rescue as West Indies beat PNG in T20 World Cup
West Indies beat PNG by five wickets thanks to a late surge in their opening game after the minnows gave them a scare.
Climate crisis threatens 41 million across Caribbean and Latin America: UN
Nearly 1,450 hospitals across region are also in low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to extreme weather, UN report finds.
How Essequibo residents are grappling with fears of a Venezuela takeover
Essequibo residents express anxiety as Venezuela advances its claims over the region, largely seen as part of Guyana.
Brazil urges ‘restraint’ amid Venezuela-Guyana border tensions
A British warship arrives for defence exercises with Guyana as Venezuela launches war games near contested region.
![A woman holds a Venezuelan flag and a book about the Essequibo territory dispute in Caracas, Venezuela [File: Matias Delacroix/AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AP23333727930507-1701446733.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Venezuela and Guyana agree not to use force in Essequibo dispute
Leaders hold talks after Venezuela organised referendum to claim oil-rich territory that makes up two-thirds of Guyana.
Leaders of Venezuela and Guyana to meet amid border dispute
The planned meeting comes after Venezuela threatened to annex the oil-rich territory of Esequibo currently in Guyana.
US to conduct Guyana flights amid Venezuela dispute
US announces flight drills, stresses ‘unwavering support’ for Guyana’s sovereignty amid growing border tensions.
From: NewsFeed
Venezuela’s claim to Guyana region a “direct threat”
Guyana’s president has called Venezuela a “direct threat” to his country.
Published On 7 Dec 2023
PODCASTS
The Take: Venezuela voted to take over part of Guyana. Could it happen?
Tension is growing as Venezuela prepares to claim Guyana’s Essequibo region as its own.
US throws weight behind Guyana in territorial dispute with Venezuela
Top US diplomat Blinken reaffirms support for Guyana’s sovereignty as Venezuela threatens to annex its Essequibo region.
