Venezuela’s National Assembly has approved a new law allowing prison sentences of up to 20 years for individuals found to be promoting or financing piracy, blockades, or other international crimes, following recent United States actions against Venezuelan oil shipments.
The legislation was passed on Tuesday by the ruling party-controlled parliament after the US Coast Guard seized a sanctioned supertanker carrying Venezuelan crude earlier this month. US officials also said attempts were made over the weekend to intercept two additional vessels linked to Venezuela.
According to US authorities, the maritime operations are part of efforts to counter sanctions evasion and drug trafficking. However, the Venezuelan government has denounced the seizures and interceptions as illegal acts carried out in international waters.
The new law, formally titled the Law to Guarantee Freedom of Navigation and Commerce Against Piracy, Blockades, and Other International Illicit Acts, was introduced on Monday by pro-government
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